Calgary officer charged for repeated ‘excessive force’ on handcuffed suspect: ASIRT
Posted Mar 28, 2024 1:18 pm.
Last Updated Mar 28, 2024 7:23 pm.
A Calgary police officer is facing an assault charge more than two years after an incident that allegedly left a suspect injured following an arrest.
The Alberta Serious Incident Team (ASIRT) was directed to investigate the March 20, 2022 arrest, where at the arrest-processing centre, an officer allegedly repeatedly used force on a man who was handcuffed, leaving him to require treatment in hospital.
ASIRT says evidence gathered during the investigation gave “reasonable grounds” to believe a crime had been committed.
As required by the Police Act, the investigation was transferred to the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service (ACPS) to decide whether the evidence met the standard for prosecution.
ASIRT executive director Michael Ewenson determined that the officer should be charged after being advised the evidence did meet the ACPS standard.
On March 28, 2024, Const. David Wilhelm was charged with assault and released on an appearance notice.
“The officer was placed on restricted duties throughout the course of the investigation and his duty status is under review,” says a CPS spokesperson. “The officer is a 10-year-member of the CPS.”
He is set to make his first appearance in court in Calgary on Apr. 17.
