On that day at about 3 p.m., Athabasca RCMP were dispatched to a complaint of an intoxicated female in Calling Lake. An RCMP officer responded to the area. While attempting to arrest the 29-year-old woman, a physical confrontation ensued. During the arrest, additional officers arrived on scene and the woman was taken into custody; however, both the woman and the initial responding officer had sustained injuries. The woman was initially taken to the Athabasca hospital for assessment and then transferred to the Royal Alexandra Hospital for treatment, apparently suffering from a facial injury. The woman has since left the hospital.
ASIRT’s investigation will examine the conduct of police during this incident, including the circumstances surrounding the woman’s arrest and the cause of her injury. The RCMP will maintain responsibility for the investigation into the woman and her actions. With ASIRT’s investigation underway, no further information will be released at this time.
ASIRT’s mandate is to effectively, independently and objectively investigate incidents involving Alberta’s police that have resulted in serious injury or death to any person, as well as serious or sensitive allegations of police misconduct.
This release is distributed by the Government of Alberta on behalf of the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team.