Officer who hit woman acted properly, Crown says

KATHERINE HARDING Globe and Mail
Edmonton -- A city police officer photographed hitting a handcuffed woman on the head during a rowdy Edmonton Oilers playoff street party should not be charged with assault, according to Calgary's top Crown prosecutor. Gordon Wong told reporters yesterday that witnesses said Kristin Wilson, a 20-year-old Vernon, B.C., resident, was being verbally abusive and resisting arrest when the incident occurred last June 17. Mr. Wong said photos taken by a local newspaper show the male officer administering a "head stun," which is as an approved technique officers are trained to administer if a person resists arrest. Ms. Wilson is suing Edmonton's police force for more than $6-million in damages.