Calgary police officer faces assault charges while on-duty: CPS
Posted Dec 17, 2024 10:36 am.
A Calgary police officer is being charged with assault with a weapon while on duty, the service says.
CPS says it happened on Jan. 4, 2024, when police officers went to Woodbine on a call.
Police say while the officer was trying to enter a home, he shot his “energy weapon” at a man twice. They also say the officer allegedly used unreasonable force in the given circumstances.
The service suspended the officer the next month amid an internal investigation.
As a result, 37-year-old Const. Nickolas Kerton faces one charge of assault with a weapon.
Police say the two-year member will appear in court on Jan. 20, 2025, and remains suspended from active duty.
“Police conduct in Alberta is governed by the Criminal Code of Canada, and Alberta’s Police Act and Police Service Regulation. Officers are permitted to use reasonable and necessary force in the execution of their duties, but they can be charged if there are grounds to believe the force was excessive or not required at all,” the news release reads.
CPS goes on to say criminal charges can be laid if the evidence supports it in consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service as appropriate.
