Edmonton police are being ordered to conduct a more thorough investigation into a takedown that occurred two years ago. In 2009, officers involved in a high-risk takedown arrested the wrong man.
Roy Persaud and his co-worker filed a complaint after tactical team members surrounded his car, smashed his windows and arrested him on suspicious of drug trafficking.
In April of 2009, pharmacist technician, Persaud, told CTV News he was sitting in his car in the Riverbend Square parking lot around 9 p.m., when he was suddenly surrounded by Edmonton's tactical team. Persaud also said police smashed his three car windows.
Persaud said at the time police told him he was under surveillance for suspicion of drug trafficking, but after officers ran his name through the computer database, they admitted, they had the wrong person.
It's unfortunate what happened," said Acting Insp. Greg Preston with the Edmonton Police Service.
Police apologized, but now the Law Enforcement Board has ordered EPS to re-investigate.
In a 20-page document, the board finds the matter wasn't properly investigated after Persaud filed his complaint. He alleged officers abused their authority and used inappropriate force. The report directs new Police Chief Rod Knecht to launch a new investigation.
"They just said well, since it's a mistake, there's nothing we're gonna do and obviously that's unacceptable to us," said Persaud's lawyer, Erika Norheim.
"We don't think it's unreasonable to have police officers who are going around pointing guns at people, destroying property and arresting them, to at least do some due diligence," said Norheim.
A police spokesperson says the police chief is aware of the ruling.
"He will be taking the next few days to review that and he will make a decision after that as to what will happen with that," said Patrycia Thenu.
Norheim and her client hope a new investigation is launched so the same mistake doesn't happen twice.
"These things are going to happen again, unless they're willing to look at what happened and figure out what went wrong."
The Edmonton Police Service has 30 days to appeal to the Alberta Court of Appeal.
With files from Bill Fortier
