Takedown was ‘textbook’ move, says defence in assault trial of Calgary police officer

CALGARY – A Calgary court heard from the defence of Const. Alex Dunn, who is on trial for charges stemming from a violent takedown of a Black woman, on Wednesday.

A video from Dec. 2017 shows Dunn slamming a handcuffed Dalia Kafi to the ground face-first after she was brought in for processing.

The defence says Dunn felt Kafi’s hand on his wrist, and thought she had got out of a cuff. In defence, threw her down in a move officers are trained to do. The defence compared it to another case where an officer had done the same thing. But Kafi didn’t remove the cuff. #yyc

— Taylor Braat (@TaylorBraat_) October 28, 2020

Kafi was severely injured in the takedown, needing surgery and stitches on her face.

The defence claims Dunn felt Kafi’s hand on his wrist and thought she had got out of her handcuffs, at which point he threw her down in a defensive move officers are trained to do.

FULL VIDEO: Const. Alex Dunn is seen slamming a woman to the ground

(Warning: this video contains graphic material. Viewer discretion is advised.)

Dunn’s takedown was a “textbook” execution and he was not in a situation where he or any officer could be gentle, according to the defence.

The crown, however, says there’s a major flaw in this story–Dunn is a seasoned veteran on the police force.

The crown also says the defence has downplayed Dunn’s involvement. For example, Dunn’s defence said Kafi was making a scene but the crown says there’s no evidence of that.

Prosecutors also say Dunn had written that Kafi has been extremely violent before he took her down–something they argue isn’t true.

They also say Dunn has not been forthcoming with evidence and he has been evasive.

The defence is looking to have the charges downgraded from assault causing bodily harm to just assault.

-with files from Taylor Braat