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Edmonton officer who kicked teen in head won’t face charges, police watchdog says

Apr. 27, 2023, Edmont, Alta. – Alberta’s police watchdog says charges will not be laid against an Edmonton police officer who kicked a teen in the head in 2020, causing brain damage.

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team, also known as ASIRT, says in its decision released today that the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service suggested that no charges be laid.

ASIRT’s report says officers responded to a call about a fight at a residence in the early hours of Dec. 9, 2020, and were told that a knife was present.

Officers took control an 18-year-old and his older brother upon arriving to the scene.

The report says the teen was reaching into his pocket before he was kicked in the face by an officer, causing a severe head injury that required doctors to remove a portion of his skull to alleviate pressure from his brain.

The ASIRT report says that although the officer won’t be charged, his actions showed a “shocking lack of judgment” and disregard for the teen’s life.

“The public expects significantly better from a police officer,” Thursday’s report reads.

“The (officer) was standing above a 90-pound 18- year-old and pointing a firearm at him with two other officers nearby offering assistance. While the law allows police to use force during an arrest in appropriate circumstances, using a life-altering kick directly to the head of (the teen) as a first resort cannot be supported.”

The teen and officer were not identified in the ASIRT report.