Shortly after midnight on March 23, EPS Air-1 alerted patrol and tactical members that a man appeared to be checking car door handles in the area of 96 Street and 79 Avenue south of Whyte Avenue. Tactical members in the area responded and encountered a man walking eastbound on 76 Avenue. A confrontation occurred during which the tactical officers applied force, including the use of physical force and a conducted energy weapon (CEW), commonly referred to as a taser. The man was arrested and received medical attention on scene, including the removal of CEW probes, before he was medically cleared for custody. He was left in the custody of police, charged and remanded into custody at the Edmonton Remand Centre, where he remains.
During the arrest, the man sustained minor injuries, including bruising to the forehead and lower lip and CEW probe marks on his back.
ASIRT’s investigation will focus on the lawfulness of the uses of force employed by the officers. The Edmonton Police Service remains responsible for the investigation into any alleged criminal acts committed by the man.
ASIRT investigators are asking anyone who may have been in the area of 96 Street and 76 Avenue and witnessed the arrest, or who may have any information or video related to this incident, to contact ASIRT at 780-644-1483.
As ASIRT’s investigation is 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.