Cops caught on arrest video cleared of criminal charges

Two Calgary police officers captured on videotape dragging and punching a handcuffed man during an arrest could be back patrolling next week after the Crown decided not to lay criminal charges in the incident.

Police Chief Rick Hanson told CBC News Thursday thatConst. Jason Schneider and Const. Blake VanHereweghe are relieved they will not face charges.

A four-minute video was sent anonymously to the police department, mayor's office and several media outlets in April showing the officers subduing a handcuffed man on the ground during a drug-related arrest. They punch the mantwice in the face, and later drag hima short distance by his arms.

Charges of crack cocaine possession were later dropped against the suspect.

A letter accompanying the video, which appeared to be recorded from an apartment balcony above a downtown alley, expressed concern officers used excessive force.

The two constables had been suspended from duty with pay during the Crown's investigation, but Hanson placed them on administrative duty shortly after taking over as chief last month.

With the end of the Crown's probe, Hanson said the officers now face an internal review.

"We then initiate an internal investigation to see if there's any breach under the Police Act. We review their release from duties and we'll be making a decision later today or tomorrow on their return to work," the chief said. "They could be back at work next week."

Hanson said the two officers may have to go through some additional training or face a verbal reprimand.

"The range of discipline under the Police Act ranges everything from just a verbal reprimand right up to more serious ramifications, and we can look at the situation and determine if there was any kind of policy breach or maybe a better way it could have been done," Hanson said.

"If this can be done through remedial training, then we look at those options."

A civil lawsuit launched by Oktopi Randy Koney, the man being arrested in the video, is still before the courts.