An Edmonton police officer who chased and pepper sprayed a man for swearing at him was found guilty Thursday of failing to follow proper EPS procedure during the arrest.

Const. Ken Smith was working at a checkstop at 118th Avenue and 97th Street on Dec. 19, 2009.

As a taxi cab passed by, Smith heard someone swearing at him from the front passenger window.

Smith got in his cruiser and pulled over the taxi which contained six men.

The man in the front passenger seat denied yelling the profanity and refused to go into Smith's cruiser.

Smith struggled with the man, taking him to the ground before using pepper spray to subdue him.

At his disciplinary hearing Thursday Smith was found guilty of unlawful or unnecessary exercise of authority.

Smith will find out his punishment next year.