‘Horrible’: Edmonton mayor says police officer ought to have been charged with kicking Pacey Dumas within the head

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Mayor of Edmonton sharpest comment He additionally mentioned the police officer who kicked the indigenous teenager within the head must be prosecuted.

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Mayor Amarjeet Sohi mentioned Pacey Dumas in a Actual Speak interview with Ryan Jespersen Friday, weeks after a report from the Alberta Police Oversight Company discovered grounds to consider Edmonton police const. talked about the incident. Ben Todd dedicated a prison offense by kicking a then-18-year-old boy within the head throughout his arrest in 2020.

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“It is a terrifying state of affairs to observe. A boy was kicked within the head and ASIRT’s investigation discovered that the police used extreme power,” Sohi mentioned. “It’s a nice disgrace that no fees have been filed as a result of, once more, the system is failing.”

“We’re working with the Police Fee on this matter and we wish to ensure that the system is amended in order that officers who violate neighborhood expectations or violate their duties are held accountable.” he added. “And on this case there ought to have been fees, however they weren’t. Why? is.”

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Todd was arrested outdoors Dumas’ residence in December 2020 after responding to a name a couple of man with a knife at one other location earlier that night time and kicked Dumas within the head. One witness in contrast the kick to somebody kicking a soccer ball and knocked Dumas unconscious. He required emergency medical care to have a part of his cranium eliminated, which was then changed with a metallic plate.

Neither Dumas nor his brother Blair Dumas, who later died by suicide, had been charged within the case, and the knife discovered close to the house was deemed unrelated. The Alberta Severe Incident Response Staff (ASIRT) report mentioned the potential menace from the 90-pound Dumas was minimal, and given the numerous different choices for using power, Todd mentioned the motion went too far.

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Nonetheless, ASIRT declined to prosecute Todd after the Alberta Lawyer’s Workplace determined to not take up the case, regardless of demonstrating a “stunning lack of judgment.”

Sohi mentioned incidents just like the one involving Todd gave the “majority” of cops a nasty title.

“They’re serving our communities, placing their lives in danger, and the few who use extreme power are damaging their reputations,” he mentioned. “The system should perform to satisfy its obligations and defend the popularity of nearly all of cops.”

Sohi additionally cited the homicide of two cops by a teenage boy in March. He mentioned systemic flaws performed a task on this case as nicely, noting that the boy had beforehand been arrested underneath the Psychological Well being Act.

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“Why was he on the road?” Sohee requested, “The place did you get the gun from?”

“Once more, the system will not be working. It is hurting our neighborhood.”

Publish Media reached out to Sohi’s workplace for extra remark.

The King’s Workplace mentioned it didn’t consider the case towards Todd may very well be received, however mentioned it had obtained views from a use of power skilled, whose identification the prosecution refused to establish. He didn’t clarify how he reached that conclusion.

Final time we reported, Todd was on paid go away. He and the police face a lawsuit from Dumas.

jwakefield@postmedia.com

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