Central Alberta RCMP officer charged with assault during May 2023 arrest
Posted March 8, 2024 1:24 pm.
A central Alberta RCMP officer has been put on administrative duties after being charged with assaulting a suspect during a May 2023 arrest.
Investigators say during the 2023 wildfire season, members of the Central Alberta Crime Reduction Unit began investigating a small group of known offenders that were thought to be committing thefts in Drayton Valley during wildfire evacuations.
During the investigation, officers found stolen vehicles and items including a Ford F250 pick up, a Chevrolet Silverado Pickup, an ATV, and a truck canopy.
RCMP say three repeat offenders were arrested and charged for various crimes.
On May 9, 2023, officers of the Central Alberta District Crime Reduction Unit recovered a stolen Silverado which had fled police and rolled in a ditch near Breton.
The driver was arrested and taken to hospital for treatment of an injury that happened during the roll over.
After the person was arrested, police say concerns were raised about the conduct of one of the arresting officers.
On May 17, 2023, RCMP contacted the director of law enforcement who determined the incident was out of the scope of ASIRT and directed the RCMP to investigate, which it did.
On March 1, 2024, 42-year-old Cpl. Bruce Lussier was charged with assault causing bodily harm.
He is set to appear in court on April 10 in Breton.
