Police Chief Christine Silverberg is calling for a meeting with Calgary's Latin American Community Association to discuss allegations of police brutality against Juan Domingo Melendez.

Silverberg called for the meeting in a letter sent to association spokesman Dago Correa.

The Latin association, during a meeting Thursday night, agreed on the need for a dialogue with police, but not until charges of assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest against Melendez are dropped.

"Until these charges are withdrawn, there is no point in any dialogue," said Ron Wise, another association spokesman. "He doesn't belong in court."

About three dozen members of Calgary's Latin-American community attended Thursday night's meeting.

There were no members of Calgary's police service in attendance, at the association's request.

Wise could not confirm if any official complaint has been launched by Melendez against the police, saying that is between him and his lawyer.

Melendez, a Salvadoran, has alleged he was assaulted by police on Aug. 17.

The 37-year-old electrical engineering student was walking home from school when he said he wasd grabbed by two men.

"I thought that I was being robbed, so I tried to release my arm so that I could make a run for home," said Melendez in a press release.

It was later determined that he had walked into a prostitution sting.

The alleged attack and subsequent arrest took place two blocks from Melendez' home.

Melendez made his first appearance in provincial court Thursday on charges of assault and obstruction of a peace officer.

He will be back in court Sept. 21 to enter a plea.