Inquiry begins into Calgary police conduct after arrest of Hells Angel

2 arresting officers ultimately cleared of wrongdoing in 2008 incident

A special hearing looking into the circumstances surrounding the 2008 arrest of a known biker gang member that resulted in two Calgary police officers facing charges will hear from 15 witnesses, including the ex-police chief Rick Hanson.

The five-day inquiry is looking into the actions of Const. Brant Derrick and Sgt. Les Kaminski, who were charged with assault in the arrest of Jason Arkinstall, a member of the Hells Angels.
Kaminski was later charged with perjury relating to Arkinstall's trial.

• Inquiry launched after probe into alleged police wrongdoing took 8 years (link is external)

It was alleged the officers used excessive force during Arkinstall's arrest. At the beginning of Arkinstall's trial, the Crown withdrew obstruction and assault charges against Arkinstall. He was acquitted of uttering threats on Jan. 14, 2011. During the trial, the judge rejected the evidence of Derrick and Kaminski, who had testified at the trial. He found the officers were not credible.

Police charged, cleared

Derrick and Kaminski were charged in connection with the arrest nine years after the incident.
Derrick was found not guilty of using excessive force in December, 2017.

All charges against Kaminski, who is also the head of the police union, were ultimately dropped.
Calgary police conducted a review after Arkinstall's trial but determined an investigation was not required, which they've since called a "mistake."

The current inquiry, which was ordered by Alberta's justice minister last summer (link is external), will also look at whether there was any effort to obstruct, impede or otherwise interfere with disciplinary action with respect to Derrick and Kaminski.

No new charges or discipline can come from the hearing, which is designed to result in recommendations for the handling of future incidents.


Canada - BN.