Sask. RCMP officer acquitted on charge of assault with a weapon

A Saskatchewan RCMP officer has been found not guilty of assault with a weapon after an arrest 2 1/2 years ago.

In October of 2021, Const. Dani Zaya pulled over a vehicle near Arcola. During his trial in Carlyle Provincial Court, he told court he wanted to check the driver’s licence, registration and sobriety.

When Zaya went to talk to the driver, he told court he saw open containers and the driver appeared intoxicated, so Zaya arrested the driver.

The judge accepted Zaya’s evidence that the driver resisted arrest, and determined it was acceptable for the officer to take the suspect to the ground and use pepper spray on him.

Zaya was charged after an RCMP investigation and was suspended with pay.