At approximately 4 p.m., the owner of a rural property near Wanham discovered two men breaking into a building on the property. Spirit River RCMP officers attended a short time later and arrested the two men. During the arrest, officers used force on one of the men, who was seriously injured.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were called and attended the scene. EMS transported the man to a hospital, where he remains under medical care.
ASIRT’s investigation will examine the circumstances surrounding the use of force. No additional information will be released.
As part of its ongoing investigation, ASIRT is continuing efforts to identify people who may have witnessed aspects of the confrontation between the man and police. ASIRT is asking anyone who may have been in the area and may have witnessed these events, and/or may have video, to contact investigators at 780-644-1483.
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.