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City police and Calgary’s police union are throwing their support behind three officers facing kidnapping and assault charges dating back more than seven years.

Speaking to media at a Wednesday afternoon press conference, Supt. Don Coleman was unequivocal in his support for the three senior officers, accused of kidnapping and assaulting a man connected to a youth exploitation investigation in 2010.

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“I know these officers personally, I’ve worked around them, and they’re excellent officers and incredible people,” Coleman said.

“They really have served the public well, and are some of the most dedicated and committed people you’ll ever want to meet — their intent that day was to return safely a young female who was being sexually exploited.”

The three officers, at the time attached to the CPS vice unit, were tasked with locating a young girl they planned to apprehend under the Protection of Sexually Exploited Children Act (PSECA).

In the course of their investigation, the three officers — accompanied by a fourth — took into their unmarked police van a man believed to have information on the whereabouts of people involved in the youth’s exploitation.

During a 20-minute drive, two of the officers allegedly assaulted the man, then dropped him off where he was picked up.