The Calgary Police Service confirms Const. Alex Dunn has been dismissed from the force for misconduct under the Police Act three years after being found guilty of assault causing bodily harm.
Dunn was convicted in 2020 in connection with a 2017 incident at police headquarters where video evidence showed him throwing a handcuffed woman to the floor.
Surveillance footage showed the woman, later identified as Dalia Kafi, had her hands cuffed behind her back when she was thrown. She remained on the ground in a pool of blood after her face struck the floor.
In July, Dunn received a 30-day conditional sentence, including house arrest, but served no jail time for his criminal conviction.
The presiding justice initially ruled that Dunn was to serve 30 days intermittently behind bars followed by six months of probation, but that penalty was stayed at the conclusion of arguments in July and replaced with the conditional sentence.
On Friday, CPS officials confirmed the two counts of discreditable conduct under the Police Act against Dunn had been found to be sustained in the presiding officer’s decision submitted to the Law Enforcement Review Board. An order for the constable’s dismissal was made Thursday.
Dunn has the right to appeal the presiding officer’s decision but remains relieved from duty without pay.
Alain Hepner, Dunn’s lawyer, told Global News that a decision has yet to be made on a path forward. “I will do a post-mortem and make decisions on options that Alex has.”
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Kafi died of a suspected overdose in July 2021. Her family says she was never the same after Dunn’s attack.
“After the assault she wasn’t the Dalia we used to know,” said Bearina Kafi. “Even her relationship changed with all of us. She distanced herself and (did) not like to talk to people anymore.”
Bearina viewed Dunn’s firing as bittersweet; Dalia’s goal coming to fruition without her around to see it.
“I wouldn’t say it’s fully justice served but this is what we got for now and we are grateful at least that he’s not there anymore,” said Bearina. “It doesn’t bring her back and she’s not here to see the news, so we are here confused.”
Bearina says her initial anger over Dunn’s actions has given way to sadness and grief following her sister’s death.
With files from Global News’ Jill Croteau
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