**UPDATE: The charge against Constable Massart was dropped on May 8, 2018**
A constable with the Calgary Police Service is facing charges for allegedly pointing his firearm at a driver during a traffic stop in the southewest in 2016.
Police say two uniformed officers were in an unmarked car on October 28, 2016 when one of them spotted a man allegedly making a rude gesture towards them from a nearby vehicle.
The officers conducted a traffic stop and police say the driver of the vehicle stopped and then drove forward a few more car lengths before coming to a complete stop.
One of the officers left the police car, drew his service weapon and then approached the vehicle and allegedly pointed the firearm at the driver for a few seconds.
“My understanding was a traffic stop was a result of the gesture the officers saw so, like I say, I don’t want to get into too many details because it’s going to go to trial and we’ll let those details come out there,” said Inspector Keith Cain from the Professional Standards Section. “The information I have is that the firearm was pointed at the driver and I’m not sure exactly when that occurred, whether he pulled it out on the way to the vehicle or when he arrived there.”
The driver was arrested and issued a ticket for stunting.
“Stunting is quite an unusual charge. There are a variety of things that can happen that can distract a driver that may fall under the definition of stunting so for me to provide exactly what would be stunting, I can’t do that, that’s why it usually goes to trial and then the presider will decide whether that’s appropriate for the charge of stunting or not,” said Cain.
A formal complaint was made a few days later by the driver to the Professional Standards Section and an investigation into the incident was launched.
Adam Massart, a six year member of the service, is charged with one count of unlawfully pointing a firearm under Section 87(1) of the Criminal Code.
Officials say to date there have been 23 incidents where a Calgary police officer pointed their firearm at a member of the public
“Fortunately it is a rare occurrence and use of force, like I say, we have very detailed training for the officers, when it is appropriate for them to draw their firearm and use their firearm so it would be impossible for me to say this is a situation where that would be appropriate or not, that is case specific and incident specific, and if the officer feels that drawing their weapon is important or is justified then that’s what they will do” Cain added.
The officer has been relieved from duty for the next seven days, which is standard practice, and his status will be determined after that.
