Edmonton officer who kicked teen in the head showed 'shocking lack of judgement' but will not be charged: ASIRT
CTV
An Edmonton officer who kicked an Indigenous teen in the head in 2020 will not be arrested, despite Alberta's police watchdog finding "reasonable grounds" to lay criminal charges.
An Edmonton officer who kicked an Indigenous teen in the head in 2020 will not be arrested, despite Alberta's police watchdog finding "reasonable grounds" to lay criminal charges.
On Thursday, the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) publicly released the findings of its probe into the incident that left Pacey Dumas with a hole in his skull and "long lasting, if not permanent" injuries.
ASIRT concluded the officer "showed a shocking lack of judgement and disregard for the life" of Dumas, who was 18 at the time, stating the kick "cannot be supported."
ASIRT referred the case to the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service (ACPS) after finding "reasonable grounds that an offence may have been committed" by the officer, but prosecutors recommended last month that no charges be laid.
"It is shocking that the Crown prosecution has decided not to prosecute. They get to hide behind the secrecy of privilege and don't have to answer to the reasoning behind their decision," Heather Steinke-Attia, Dumas' lawyer, told CTV News Edmonton.
"I believe that's a cover up. Especially in circumstances like this where everything about this case cries out for explanation. It's beyond disappointing."
Steinke-Attia said a lawsuit against Const. Ben Todd, the officer who kicked Dumas, will proceed. Edmonton Police Service Chief Dale McFee and six unidentified officers were also named as defendants in the statement of claim filed in 2021, seeking a total of $690,000.
