Criminal probe launched into Calgary police conduct after man seriously injured during arrest
Cruiser's dashcam footage raises concern over officers' behaviour
A criminal investigation has been launched into the conduct of Calgary police officers after a man sustained "several serious injuries" during an arrest in July near Chinook Mall.
Two officers have been suspended with pay and two others assigned to desk duty, Calgary Police deputy chief Paul Cook said on Saturday.
Up to a dozen officers were involved in the arrest of a man around the 6700 block of Macleod Trail South on July 30, a Saturday night, Cook said.
The incident began with a traffic stop in a parking lot, but escalated once the driver got out and ran. A foot chase ensued and several other officers were called in.
The man was located a short distance away and taken into custody. But he sustained "several serious injuries" during the arrest, the Calgary Police Service said in a statement.
Cook would not elaborate on the man's injuries, or if he was hospitalized, citing privacy concerns.
"All I can say is, unequivocally, they are serious injuries to this individual," he said.
Cook said the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) was notified "within an hour" of police seeing footage from a dashcam on a police cruiser that raised concerns over the officers' conduct.
Asked why it took almost a month to notify the public of the investigation, Cook said: "I believe it took several weeks before we were aware that the video existed."
Anyone with information or additional video is asked to contact ASIRT, which has taken over the investigation.
No charges have been laid at this time.
The status of the two members who have been relieved from duty will be reviewed in the next seven days, the police said.
Similar cases
This isn't the first time the force has come under scrutiny for the conduct of its members.
Earlier in July, a violent arrest outside a bar on 17th Avenue was caught on video that also sparked a review.
In the 21-second video posted to Instagram, an officer is seen throwing a man to the ground outside 1410 World Bierhaus Restaurant and Lounge before punching him at least twice while two other officers help restrain him.
A few days later, another video emerged of an arrest at the Calgary Stampede that involved a "heavily intoxicated" suspect.
Police say the 23-year-old British man attempted to grab an officer's Taser, which led to the takedown.