Edmonton police officer facing charges after ASIRT investigation

EPS officer accused of stealing An Edmonton police officer is accused of stealing, while he was on duty.

Alberta’s Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) said Thursday that an officer with the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) had been charged.

ASIRT said officials were directed to begin an investigation back on October 4, 2016, after EPS identified concerns over an incident involving an officer.

It’s believed there were three separate incidents: on October 4, 2016, May 10, 2017 and on August 2, 2017, where the officer in question committed crimes, and ASIRT said he should be charged.

On August 2, 40-year-old EPS Constable David Ahlstrom was arrested and charged with three counts of theft under $5,000.

Its alleged cash, prepaid credit cards and cigarettes were stolen.

The officer is also facing three counts of breach of trust.

Edmonton police said their organization cooperated with the ASIRT investigation.

“We have no tolerance for behaviours that diminish or destroy the trust citizens have in our officers,” Acting Deputy Chief David Veitch said in a statement. “The alleged action of one member is not a reflection of the dedicated men and women who serve our community.”

Police said they had taken steps to remove Ahlstrom from duty without pay, until criminal proceedings are completed. He was relieved of duty following his arrest Wednesday.

He has been released on a promise to appear in an Edmonton courtroom on Wednesday, September 13, 2017.