Alberta (Rajeev Sharma): An RCMP officer in Alberta has been charged with assault causing bodily harm following an investigation into an alleged use of excessive force against a woman in police custody.
The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) announced that Const. Marie-Helene Dupere was arrested and charged on October 22, 2026, after investigators examined an incident at the Gleichen RCMP detachment in October last year.
According to ASIRT, the alleged incident occurred on the night of October 30, 2025, when an officer was placing a woman in a cell at the detachment. The woman had been arrested earlier that evening on suspicion of mischief.
The investigation focused on an allegation that excessive force had been used during the process of placing her in custody.
Investigation leads to criminal charge
ASIRT said the evidence collected during its investigation provided reasonable grounds to believe that an offence had occurred. Following a review of the findings and further advice from the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service recommending that a charge be laid, ASIRT executive director Matthew Block determined that the officer should face a criminal charge.
Dupere has been charged with assault causing bodily harm. She was released on an undertaking and is due to appear before the Alberta Court of Justice at Siksika Nation on November 26, 2026.
The charge follows an investigation into the officer’s alleged conduct while the woman was in police custody. The allegations have not been established in court.
ASIRT will not release further details
ASIRT said it would not provide additional information now that the case is before the courts.
Questions concerning Dupere’s employment status, including whether she remains on active duty, have been referred to the RCMP.
The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team operates under the Police Review Commission as an independent, civilian-led agency. Its mandate includes investigating potential criminal offences involving police officers across Alberta, particularly incidents in which police actions may have caused serious injury or death.
The court proceedings will determine how the case progresses following the charge.
