Court shown video of Calgary officer assaulting handcuffed Indigenous man
CBC
A Calgary police officer who assaulted an intoxicated, handcuffed Indigenous man by grabbing him by the hair and throwing him to the ground apologized to his victim in court on Monday both publicly and privately before he was handed a one-year, at-home sentence.
Const. David Wilhelm pleaded guilty to assault in December. The judge described the incident as "completely out of character" for the 12-year Calgary Police Service (CPS) officer and his lawyer called the assault "a terrible mistake."
On Monday, Wilhelm was handed a one-year conditional sentence, meaning he will serve his sentence at home with the first half spent under house arrest and the second six months under a curfew. He must also complete 75 hours of community service.
The sentence will be followed by one year of probation.
CPS says Wilhelm is currently suspended with pay but says it will be reviewing his status after Monday's sentencing.
Video of the March 20, 2022 incident was played in court as part of the sentencing hearing.
At the time, police had been called to deal with Ace Bigchild, who was intoxicated in public. They discovered he was also wanted on warrants for breaching court orders.
The video shows Wilhelm leading Bigchild around by grabbing his hair at the back of his head.
Bigchild's head was pulled back and at one point "he cried out in pain," according to the agreed statement of facts.
Wilhelm got Bigchild into a waiting police van.
Once at police headquarters, CCTV footage again shows Wilhelm marching Bigchild down a hall by grabbing his hair.
Prosecutor Dane Bullerwell noted the move is "not a valid control tactic."
The video shows Wilhelm walked Bigchild around a corner to a metal bench. The officer proceeded to deliver a number of blows, kicking his arrestee, throwing him against a wall and then sweeping Bigchild's legs out from under him, causing the victim to fall on the floor, hitting his head.
A paramedic on duty was concerned about a potential head injury and had Bigchild sent to the hospital for an assessment.
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