EPS officer faces theft charges

An Edmonton police officer has been suspended without pay after being charged with stealing cigarettes, prepaid credit cards and cash while on duty.

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) in October launched a probe into the officer’s conduct based on three separate incidents spanning several months — the most recent occurring Wednesday.

The 40-year-old constable, an eight-year patrol member in northeast division, was charged Wednesday with three counts of theft under $5,000 related to cash, prepaid credit cards and cigarettes. He also was charged with three

Good police officers don’t want dishonest police officers working in the police service.

counts of breach of trust by a public officer.

The incidents took place on Oct. 4, 2016, May 10 and Aug. 2.

ASIRT executive director Susan Hughson said Thursday officers from the civilian oversight body arrested the officer after he went off-duty Wednesday night.

The constable was on duty when the alleged thefts occurred. Hughson said one of the incidents took place at a home, but would not say who the items belonged to or where the other incidents took place. The officer was assigned to desk duty in October, but Hughson said he did not know he was under investigation.

The Edmonton Police Service notified the director of law enforcement of the possible thefts last fall, prompting the investigation.

Edmonton police Supt. David Veitch said the alleged thefts were a “one-off situation” at a news conference Thursday. He would not say why Edmonton police began to suspect the officer because the matter is before the courts.

He said police service members are trying to understand why the officer would risk his career to allegedly steal such items — especially after being demoted to a non-patrol position.

“That’s a question we’re all asking ourselves — what prompts someone to do that,” he said. “We don’t know.”

“We’ll see as the court case goes forward what his future employment with the Edmonton Police Service would look like,” he added.

Hughson praised the city police force for alerting ASIRT about the suspicions, calling the belief that police officers protect one another from misconduct allegations a “myth.”

“Good police officers don’t want dishonest police officers working in the police service,” she said.

“The public should know there’s good and bad in every profession. This particular arrest is not reflective of the overwhelming majority of good and honourable police officers that are doing their job right now.

“If anything, ASIRT’s investigation should give the public some comfort the system is working the way it should,” she added. “People need to be able to trust police officers when they come into contact with them, in their residences or when property is turned in or seized.”

The officer is set to appear in Edmonton provincial court Sept. 13.

ASIRT investigates cases involving Alberta police that have resulted in serious injury or death, as well as allegations of police misconduct.

Const. David Ahlstrom is charged with three counts of theft under $5,000 related to cash, prepaid credit cards and cigarettes.

He also is also charged with three counts of breach of trust by a public officer.