Two Edmonton policemen charged with assault

Two Edmonton Police Service (EPS) members have been charged with assault in connection to an incident that occurred in October 2020.

Sgt. Marc Chmilar (16 years of service) and Sgt. Steven Minarchi (20 years of service) were charged earlier on Thursday, July 8, 2021. The two officers were charged in connection to an arrest that occurred Oct. 4, 2020 in Southwest Division.

The EPS Professional Standards Branch received a complaint regarding the officers on Oct. 4, 2020, and a formal investigation was launched the same day.

The case was referred to Alberta Crown Prosecution Services in Calgary in April 2021 to determine if criminal charges were warranted. On July 2nd, prosecutors recommended both EPS members be charged with assault.

Following the completion of the court proceedings, an internal investigation by the EPS Professional Standards Branch will commence, as per normal EPS protocol.

Sgt. Chmilar is currently in a non-patrol position with the service, while Sgt. Minarchi is on leave from the organization.

The Edmonton Police website reports that "as the matter is currently before the courts, the EPS is not able to provide further comment or information about the incident or investigation."

Once the court proceedings are complete, police said an internal investigation by the EPS Professional Standards Branch will begin