Kelowna RCMP arrest senior 'pestering' officers at cop shop

While the RCMP is often taken to task about their lack of action when panhandlers and ne'er-do-wells loiter outside downtown businesses, one Kelowna senior is finding out the Mounties have a different approach after he spent too much time outside the detachment. Cornelius Clemens Sierhuis, 66, appeared at the Kelowna courthouse, Oct. 9, having been convicted on the rarely used charge of mischief that "obstructs, interrupts or interferes with any person in the lawful use, enjoyment or operation of property." Sierhuis' conviction relates to an incident in February 2023 whereby he spent four hours outside the Kelowna RCMP attachment on Ritcher Street approaching officers and trying to amend a court injunction. He wouldn't take no for an answer when officers correctly told him it was a Saturday and he'd have to go to the courthouse on Monday to deal with the matter. Crown prosecutor David Reznikov said there was no allegation Sierhuis had assaulted or pushed any of the officers but he had "belligerent conduct" towards the RCMP. "It's obvious that Mr. Sierhuis has an animosity towards the RCMP and that animosity is a factor," the Crown told the court. READ MORE: Truck thief chased down and caught by owner in Lake Country https://infotel.ca/newsitem/truck-thief-chased-down-and-caught-by-owner-in-kelowna/it106767 He was arrested and represented himself in court and was ultimately convicted of the mischief charge. The senior's prompt arrest is the polar opposite of the perception of many in their dealings with the RCMP. A recent survey in Kamloops https://infotel.ca/newsitem/kamloops-businesses-frustrated-with-rcmp-and-bylaw-officers/it106641 found businesses frustrated with RCMP and bylaw officers some saying they felt abandoned by police https://www.kelownacapnews.com/news/kelowna-business-aim-at-rcmp-after-repeat-break-ins-downtown-3226720 . Over the years local media have reported multiple stories https://www.kelownacapnews.com/opinion/letter-drug-addicts-taking-over-downtown-3183520 about people sharing their frustrations with the RCMP's perceived lack of action. https://infotel.ca/newsitem/stonewalled-break-in-victim-does-her-own-police-work-after-vernon-rcmp-inaction/it105446 While Sierhuis ended up in handcuffs outside the cop shop he had a different take on the events. "I have no shame or guilt over what happened here," Sierhuis told the court. "I respected those two officers that treated me like garbage." The court heard that the day before the senior showed up at the Kelowna RCMP detachment, he was involved in an altercation with a neighbour at a rooming house where he lived. Police gave him an undertaking not to go near the neighbour and not to go to the rooming house. However, he wanted the undertaking changed so he called the RCMP detachment multiple times on Friday and again Saturday morning. "I did everything I could over the phone, and I was completely blockaded. I had no choice. The roof over my head was being threatened," he said. "I had to go talk to someone." Once at the cop shop, which was closed to the public as it was a Saturday, Sierhuis approached officers as they went in and out of the building. "I never spoke to one person more than once. I never harassed anybody. I accepted everybody's answer and moved on hoping I could find one officer that would do his job properly," Sierhuis told the court. READ MORE: Veteran Summerland RBC manager jailed for swiping $850K from seniors https://infotel.ca/newsitem/veteran-summerland-rbc-manager-jailed-for-swiping-850k-from-seniors/it106751 Officers told him there was nothing they could do and he needed to go to the courthouse on Monday. Nevertheless, he continued to remain at the police station and at one point banged on the door. At the sentence hearing, the 66-year-old spoke at length, saying he was at the RCMP station "pleading" for help. "Nobody wanted to help me. And then to get rid of me, they arrested me," he said. Along with a sentence of two years probation, the Crown proposed a 50-metre no-go condition barring Sierhuis from going near the RCMP detachment or from calling the non-emergency line. Provincial Court Judge David Ruse didn't agree with the no-go order. "It's not like he has made a habit of going to the RCMP office and pestering them," Judge Ruse said. "It's a public institution. The public should be allowed to access (it)." Ultimately, the senior was given 18-months of probation. Sierhuis will be back in court later this month to find out whether he's guilty or not of an assault charge following the altercation at the rooming house. To contact a reporter for this story, email Ben Bulmer mailto:bbulmer@infonews.ca  or call (250) 309-5230 or email the editor mailto:news@infonews.ca . 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