Officer charged with on-duty assault

The Calgary Police Service has charged an officer with assault causing bodily harm in connection with an on-duty incident.

 The incident occurred on June 17, 2021, after officers responded to a call for service in Temple. At the home officers apprehended an adult woman who was taken into custody.

 After the woman was in custody and in handcuffs, prior to her being placed in the police vehicle a struggle occurred and force was utilized. The woman sustained injuries during the incident and was transported to hospital for further evaluation and treatment.

 Constable Jameson KOOISTRA, 31, is charged with one count of assault causing bodily harm in connection with this incident. He has been assigned to administrative duties and his status will be reviewed as appropriate. He has worked for the Service for three years.

The Calgary Police Service became aware that the woman died in September 2022. Her death was non-criminal in nature and as such we are unable to release any further details, however, it was not as a result of the physical injuries sustained during this incident.

Police conduct in Alberta is governed by the Criminal Code of Canada, and Alberta’s Police Act and Police Service Regulation. Officers are permitted to use reasonable and necessary force in the execution of their duties, but they can be charged if there are grounds to believe the force was excessive or not required at all.

 When concerns about force used by an officer arise, an internal investigation determines what happened and evaluates whether police actions followed the law, our policies and officer training. There is a range of potential outcomes if an investigation finds evidence of misconduct, including changes to policies and training, reprimands, demotions, pay deductions, suspensions, dismissals and criminal charges.

 Criminal charges can be laid against officers in cases where the evidence supports it, and in consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service as appropriate. When criminal charges are laid, the court process for those charges must conclude before any internal discipline or dismissal can be considered.

 Decisions about an officer’s status during the court and disciplinary process are based on factors like risk to the public, procedural fairness and options available for modified duties.