Calgary officer charged with assaulting handcuffed arrestee

A Calgary police officer has been charged criminally two years after he's accused of assaulting a handcuffed arrestee.

Const. Benjamin Zampa, who has been with CPS for four years,is charged with assault, read a release.

On April 9, 2019, police chased a stolen vehiclefor about 20 minutes. The driver was speeding and attempted to ram CPS vehicles before he fled on foot.

When officers found the suspect, he was taken into custody.

"After the man was in custody, handcuffed and laying on the ground, it is believed that an officer who was not part of the initial arrest arrived and applied force that was not required, necessary or reasonable as part of his duties," said CPS in a written release.

Zampa on admin duties

The charges come following an investigation by CPS's professional standards section and in consultation with the Crown's office in Edmonton.

CPS initiated the investigationafter a review ofthe police pursuit flagged concerns regarding Zampa's use of force.

After the criminal charges are dealt with in court, the police chief will decide whether charges are warranted under Alberta's Police Act.

If the case proceeds to a disciplinary hearing and there is a finding of guilt, the presiding officer has the authority to impose discipline ranging from a reprimand to dismissal.

Zampa iscurrently on administrative duties.

"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," said CPS in its release.