Merritt RCMP officer to stand trial on domestic violence charges

A trial will begin next month for a Merritt RCMP officer charged with domestic violence offences dating back to 2020.

Cst. David Feller, formerly the city’s community policing officer and street enforcement unit officer, is facing a total of 11 charges for alleged offences committed on five separate dates.

They include seven assault charges — including one for assault causing bodily harm — two counts of uttering threats, one count of possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose and one count of careless use or storage of a firearm.

All of the offences are alleged to have occurred in Merritt.

Feller is due back in court July 12 to make an application. He has trial dates set to begin on July 29 at the Merritt Law Courts.

In an email, Communications Counsel Damienne Darby of the B.C. Prosecution Service says Feller’s case is being handled by a prosecutor from a different region of B.C.

As for Feller’s employment, B.C. RCMP spokesperson Staff Sgt. Kris Clark says Feller is suspended with pay and “his duty status is subject to continuous review and assessment.”

Clark notes an internal Code of Conduct investigation is on hold until the criminal proceedings conclude.