Edmonton

Edmonton police officer charged with assault in incident at downtown LRT station

Det. Michael Bates, who has been with the force 17 years, has been charged after an 'on-duty incident' at the Corona LRT station.

Det. Michael Bates charged after incident at Corona LRT station in January, EPS says

A view of the Edmonton Police Service crest, with a crown and a wreath surrounding a sun with the words "integrity, courage, community."
An EPS officer has been charged with assault after an incident while he was on duty in January 2024. (Kory Siegers/CBC)

An Edmonton police officer has been charged with assault after an on-duty incident at a downtown LRT station.

Det. Michael Bates, who has been with the force 17 years, was charged Tuesday, the Edmonton Police Service said in a statement.

He is still on active duty, according to EPS but "employed in a non-patrol and non-supervisory position."

The incident that prompted the criminal charge happened at the Corona LRT station on Jan. 20, 2024, EPS said. No further details were given about what allegedly took place, or what the officer was doing at the time.

The EPS Professional Standards Branch initiated a internal complaint about the officer in March, and a formal investigation started on April 4.

The police statement says the case was referred to the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service in Calgary, and in August, prosecutors recommended laying an assault charge.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Madeline Smith is a reporter with CBC Edmonton, covering business and technology. She was previously a health reporter for the Edmonton Journal and a city hall reporter for the Calgary Herald and StarMetro Calgary. She received a World Press Freedom Canada citation of merit in 2021 for an investigation into Calgary city council expense claims. You can reach her at madeline.smith@cbc.ca.