Charge against officer dropped

Domestic abuse allegations against a Calgary police officer over an incident last year in Airdrie have been dropped by the Crown, his lawyer said Friday.

Defence counsel Alain Hepner said a charge of common assault against the four-year member of the Calgary Police Service was withdrawn last month. He had been charged by Airdrie RCMP on Dec. 7, after a domestic conflict in that city, according to a news release by CPS.

They said the officer was off duty at the time of the incident.

Calgary police, as is their usual policy, did not name the officer because of the domestic nature of the allegation.

Hepner said it would be speculation to offer an opinion on why the charge was withdrawn Feb. 23 by Crown prosecutor Ron Simenik. He said the Mounties have to be thorough in cases where allegations are made against police officers.

“They’re sensitive to that, especially when they get a call about another police officer,” Hepner said.

“The Crown just chose to exercise discretion and withdraw it.”

Simenik confirmed he determined the case shouldn’t proceed.

“Upon a thorough review of the entirety of the anticipated evidence, it was determined there was no reasonable likelihood of conviction,” he said.