A claim of assault trotted into the Kamloops RCMP Detachment by the city’s mayor late last month claiming a local journalist had “assaulted” him has failed to live up to Reid Hamer-Jackson’s expectations.

Kamloops RCMP late Wednesday issued a statement, clearing Castanet Kamloops News Director Tim Petruk of any criminal intent or wrongdoing connected to the incident late last month.

“An investigation into an alleged assault at a bar involving a city official of Kamloops has concluded,” said Kamloops RCMP in the awkwardly vague release.

“An alleged assault reported June 29, 2025, by a city official has been completed,” the release continued.  “It was determined that while unwanted contact had occurred the interaction that transpired did not constitute an assault.”

“On that basis a criminal charge will not be advanced to Crown Counsel,” continued the release.

Privacy protection is later alluded to as the rationale for keeping the names of those involved out of said release.

A level of public interest involved

While the Mounties aren’t being forthcoming in the details, those involved have already filled in the blanks publicly.

Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson, in conversation with Radio NL on Monday, June 30th, confirmed he filed a complaint with the RCMP, claiming Petruk slapped him on the back as he was leaving Bailey’s Pub on Saturday night before, claiming the contact was “not friendly.”

“When he was leaving the establishment, he hit me in the back and said ‘have a good night,’” said Hamer-Jackson of the incident in speaking with Radio NL at the time.  “It’s just totally off-side.”

Petruk, in a statement to Radio NL later that day, argued there was no malice involved.

“No assault took place. I patted the Mayor on the shoulder while saying goodbye,” said Petruk of the incident at Bailey’s on the Saturday night, which the RCMP later determined took place at around 10pm that Saturday evening.

Asked at the time that if the charges were to be approved, would he have liked to have seen a prosecution go forward, the mayor told Radio NL “absolutely.”

Pelley offers his thoughts

Asked about the initial investigation by Radio NL on June 30th, the RCMP were only willing to provide a brief response.

“Kamloops RCMP received a report of an assault on the morning of June 29, the alleged assault had taken place the evening prior around 10 p.m.,” stated the RCMP at the time when asked about the allegations put forward by the Mayor.  “The matter is currently under investigation.”

While the RCMP has remained quiet about the status of the investigation since then,  — given the players involved — the investigation’s end did include a quote from the head of the RCMP’s Kamloops Detachment.

“Our investigators completed a thorough investigation which included reviewing video and speaking with witnesses, along with assessing all circumstances of this incident,” said Superintendent Jeffery Pelley, Officer in Charge of the Kamloops RCMP.

“The public are reminded to respect personal boundaries and not make unwanted contact,” concluded Pelley’s portion of the statement.

 “As this file is now concluded, no names will be disclosed,” finished the RCMP release.

Editors note:  Radio NL has put in a request to the Kamloops RCMP detachment for any further details it can provide into the investigation, including any available video evidence as well as a calculation of any costs involved.