On Feb. 7, at about 1:54 p.m., RCMP officers were called to assist Emergency Medical Services (EMS) who were attending to a report of a man who had consumed drugs and was creating a disturbance at a residence in Grande Prairie. EMS and RCMP entered the residence and located the 26-year-old man who was the subject of the complaint.
RCMP officers arrested the man for mischief, and transported him to the Grande Prairie RCMP detachment where he was lodged in cells. Records indicate that the man was checked by both guards and police officers while he was in custody.
On Feb. 8, at about 7:50 a.m., an officer entered the cell to wake the man, and found him to be unresponsive and not breathing. EMS was immediately requested. They conducted emergency measures until pronouncing the man dead.
ASIRT’s investigation will examine the conduct of police during this incident, including the circumstances surrounding the man’s arrest and his time in custody. With ASIRT’s investigation underway, no further information will be released at this time.
This release is distributed by the Government of Alberta on behalf of the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team.