Calgary police officer found guilty of assault in 2017 arrest
Posted Dec 10, 2020 11:47 am.
Last Updated Dec 11, 2020 6:47 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) – A police officer who appeared to throw a woman down on the floor face-first during an arrest three years ago has been found guilty of assault.
Cst. Alex Dunn was charged with assault causing bodily harm following the arrest in Dec. 2017.
Surveillance footage, which went viral, shows Dunn in an altercation with a woman, who was already handcuffed when he slammed her onto to the ground.
FULL VIDEO: Const. Alex Dunn is seen slamming a woman to the ground
(Warning: this video contains graphic material. Viewer discretion is advised.)
Court heard that Dalia Kafi needed surgery for a broken nose and stitches in her lip.
Dunn testified he believed the takedown was necessary, but he did not mean to throw her face first.
“There’s no doubt there’s a visceral reaction to watching this video,” defence laywer Cory Wilson said, following the verdict. “He said ‘I did not intend this judo throw. I tried to take her down in accordance with my CPS training. It didn’t work as I anticipated because of my mistaken belief that she wasn’t in handcuffs.’ And that, again, was unfortunately overlooked in my respectful opinion.”
The Calgary Police Service (CPS) said it is conducting an internal investigation into Dunn’s conduct.
The constable is currently working in an administrative role, but that job status is under review.
The defense for Dunn argued he 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.
Dunn’s takedown was a “textbook” execution according to CPS, and he was not in a situation where he or any officer could be gentle, according to the defence.
Wilson said they have several issues with the findings of the trial judge, such as how she disputed the claim that Kafi grabbed Dunn’s hand before he initiated the takedown.
The crown, however, said there’s a major flaw in this story–Dunn is a seasoned veteran on the police force.
The crown also said 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.
Wilson said they are planning to appeal the conviction.
-With files from CityNews
