Calgary police officer who slammed handcuffed woman to floor won’t face jail time

A Calgary police officer who slammed a handcuffed woman to the ground face first will not serve any jail time.

Const. Alex Dunn, 37, was found guilty in 2020 of assault causing bodily harm and was given a 30-day conditional sentence.

Surveillance footage of the 2017 arrest, which went viral, showed Dunn in an altercation with Dalia Kafi. He took her into custody for allegedly breaking a curfew.

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

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

Kafi, a Black woman, needed surgery for a broken nose and stitches in her lip.

She died of a suspected overdose in June 2021.

A Crown prosecutor said there was no suggestion the assault was racially motivated but urged the trial judge not to ignore race in sentencing.

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Court of King’s Bench Justice Nancy Dilts was originally going to sentence Dunn to 30 days in jail, six months probation, and 75 hours of community service.

However, defence lawyer Alan Hepner argued the Calgary police officer had already served his time.

“Because of the history of the file, that length of time it took the circumstances behind it, and the fact that he served the sense that she would have imposed and that he’s a completely rehabilitated and productive member of society … she chose to not impose the sentence she would have,” Hepner said.

Dilts said requiring Dunn to serve all or a portion of the new sentence would be a “symbolic statement” that unlawful conduct from a peace officer in a position of trust will not be tolerated.

“I in no way minimize the circumstances of the offence and the violation by Mr. Dunn of our community’s trust,” she said.

“Considering the administration of justice as a whole, I’m satisfied that the losses generally outweigh the gains of requiring Mr. Dunn to serve the substituted sentence.”

Calgary police tell CityNews that Dunn faces two counts of discreditable conduct related to the conviction and sentence and that he remains relieved without pay.

“If the Presiding Hearing Officer that the misconduct is sustained (on either or both charges), the Hearing Officer will determine appropriate discipline, including as it may impact Cst. Dunn’s status of employment,” an email from police reads.

They say a decision on whether the misconduct is sustained is scheduled for Aug. 10.

In his 2020 trial, Dunn testified that he believed the takedown was necessary, but he did not mean to throw her face first.

His defence team argued that his takedown was a “textbook” execution and he was not in a situation where he or any officer could be gentle.