Use of force involving Calgary police increased slightly in 2023 amid rise in weapons and drug calls

Out of approximately 580,000 interactions between Calgary police and the public last year, 901 resulted in use of force, up slightly over 2022.

Use of force incidents involving Calgary police officers increased last year, according to a new report, which points to increases in interactions with the public and the crime rate as factors.

The report, which was presented to the Calgary Police Commission at its monthly meeting Wednesday, showed interactions between officers and the public in 2023 reached the highest count since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Of the approximately 580,000 interactions, police statistics show 901 resulted in use of force by officers.

“Out of the frequency in which our members are dealing with the public, it’s actually a very small proportion of the time where force is used,” Calgary police deputy chief Chad Tawfik told the commission.

Police had 15,662 more interactions with the public compared with 2022, but 64,964 less interactions compared with 2019.

Compared to the five-year average, the use of conducted energy weapons increased 41 per cent last year, but almost half of those incidents were warnings only.

The use of dynamic takedowns jumped 50 per cent over the five-year average, used in 367 incidents in 2023.

Officers pointed a firearm 32 times last year, up 54 per cent over the five-year average, which translates to once every two weeks.