In what police believe is the first time such charges have been laid against officers in the execution of their duties, three Calgary police officers are accused of kidnapping and assault in relation to an investigation that took place in 2010.
In a press conference Wednesday afternoon, Acting Supt. Don Coleman emphasized the charges are not convictions and said the Calgary Police Service (CPS) is supporting the officers throughout the upcoming legal process.
WATCH: CPS Acting Supt. Don Coleman explains why police are supporting officers charged with kidnapping in this case, yet seem to denounce officers in others.
Watch below: Calgary police say they support officers charged, but also support the investigation
Coleman explained he knew the officers in question personally and applauded their “professionalism” throughout the ordeal.
“They’re excellent officers and incredible people and they really have served the public well and are some of the most dedicated and committed people you’ll ever want to meet,” he said. “And the intent was to return safely a young female that was being sexually exploited.”
The allegations of kidnapping and assault were in relation to a person connected to an investigation into the exploitation of an at-risk youth. The person who was allegedly assaulted has since died, police said. He never filed a complaint against the officers involved in the case.
Watch below: CPS Acting Supt. Don Coleman issues a statement after three Calgary police officers were charged with kidnapping and two with assault.
CPS said the vice unit officers were looking for a youth to apprehend under the Protection of Sexually Exploited Children Act (PSECA). Throughout the investigation, police identified a man they believed had information about where the person or people who may be exploiting the youth were located.
“It is alleged that the officers brought a man into an unmarked police vehicle and drove him around for approximately 20 minutes,” CPS said in a statement.
“During this time, it is alleged an assault took place.”
Police said the man was then returned to his original location. During their investigation, police discovered the man died “several months after the incident.”
“His death is not believed to be suspicious, nor connected to this incident,” CPS said.
READ MORE: Trial for 3 Calgary police officers accused of excessive force adjourned until November
A former officer who was with the three accused at the time of the incident brought the incident forward by filing a misconduct report. The CPS Professional Standards Section (PSS) received the formal report on June 22, 2015.
“I believe it was some time after his resignation,” said Coleman, adding he didn’t believe the resignation was related to this incident. “I don’t know what his motivation would be.”
Coleman was not aware of any video or audio recordings of the incident, suggesting the allegations are “all based on the one officer’s complaint.”
The PSS investigation was forwarded to the Edmonton Crown Prosecutor for review and recommendation.
The three officers were charged Wednesday.
When asked why the response from CPS related to these allegations has been more supportive than in past instances of charges against officers, Coleman said “each case is measured on its own merit.”
“I think the spirit behind what the officers’ intentions were in course of the duties…
“I think there’s some things that clearly appear egregious in nature and some maybe not so much.
“So it’s our role as an organization to support the process and support transparency — which is what we’ve done — but it doesn’t preclude us from supporting the officers along the way.”
Det. Reagan Hossack, an 18-year member of the CPS, has been charged with kidnapping.
Sgt. Mark Schwartz, a 16-year member of the service and Det. Paul Rubner, a 25-year member, have both been charged with kidnapping and assault.
CPS said the accused are on administrative leave. Their status will be reviewed after seven days, at which time the chief can make recommendations and decisions, Coleman said.
“There’s a ton of public service behind them and they are dedicated people who have families,” he said. “It’s not just the police officers’ job to support them during a time like this — the media can do it, the community can do it, and these are just allegations.”
Coleman said CPS members have over a million contacts with the public each year and less than one per cent result in complaints of any kind.
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