Commissionaire charged with assault

A commissionaire contracted by the Calgary Police Service (CPS) has been charged with assault following an alleged altercation with an arrestee that occurred inside the Service’s Arrest Processing Section (APS).

On Saturday, May 4, 2024, at approximately 12:07 a.m., an arrestee was being processed at APS, located at 12500 85 St N.W., when an argument took place between the arrestee and a commissionaire working at APS. The argument escalated and it is believed an assault occurred. No injuries were sustained by the arrestee or the commissionaire.

Our officers examined CCTV footage and conducted a thorough investigation, and on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, charges were laid against the commissionaire.

As a result, Essayas TEKESTE, 25, of Calgary, has been charged with one count of assault in connection with this incident. He has since been removed as a commissionaire with the Calgary Police Service pending the outcome of the court process.

TEKESTE will next appear in court on Wednesday, June 19, 2024.

The Service contracts commissionaires to perform security duties at various CPS buildings, including APS. Commissionaires help officers process arrestees, however, they do not have the legal authority to use physical force while processing arrestees.

Commissionaires at APS are supervised by police officers while at work, and if physical intervention is required, commissionaires are trained to withdraw and let police officers handle the situation.

Information about this incident is being released in the interest of public transparency.

CA24176833/5624