An Edmonton police officer faces charges of sexual assault for allegedly tailing a woman from a gas station and forcibly groping her while on duty, as per a lawsuit filed earlier this year. The Alberta police watchdog revealed that Const. Renzo Geronimo from the Edmonton Police Service is accused of sexual assault, breach of trust, unlawful confinement, and being unlawfully in a dwelling house following an investigation that began in September 2023.
In April, a statement of claim was submitted implicating former EPS chief Dale McFee and an officer identified as “John Doe,” seeking damages amounting to $1.5 million. The woman’s lawyer, James Raworth, disclosed that they were made aware of the criminal charges on Wednesday, tying them to the circumstances outlined in the civil lawsuit. The officer’s full name was unknown at the time of filing the claim.
The woman involved remains anonymous due to her role as a complainant in a sexual assault case. Raworth expressed his client’s relief at the progress made, acknowledging the burden she has carried for two years awaiting resolution and validation of her experiences.
While the criminal charges against Geronimo are unproven, and the allegations in the statement of claim remain untested in court, a statement of defense is pending. The EPS spokesperson confirmed that proceedings were paused by mutual agreement with the plaintiff awaiting a decision on potential charges.
The incident in question began at a gas station where the woman was refueling her vehicle on August 27, 2023, with a marked EPS cruiser present. The officer allegedly trailed her after she left, activating the police lights under the pretext of speeding and swerving, which she denied. Subsequently, she was led to her house under the officer’s supervision, who then proceeded to make unwelcome advances and inappropriate remarks despite her resistance.
Following the distressing encounter, the woman reported the assault to the police. Geronimo, a five-year veteran of the police force currently in a non-frontline capacity, faces a review of his duty status following the criminal charges brought against him.