At about 11:15 p.m. on May 27, EMS were dispatched to a residence in response to a 50-year-old man who had been found passed out on the floor. Shortly before midnight, EMS paramedics requested police assistance, as the patient had reportedly become combative. Several EPS members arrived at the location and helped restrain the man, who was already inside the ambulance. Shortly thereafter, the man went into medical distress and became unresponsive. The man was transported to hospital and admitted. On May 30, the man passed away. An autopsy is scheduled for later this week to determine the cause of the man’s death.

ASIRT may be called in to investigate any incident where police conduct may have caused or contributed to serious injury or death. Additionally, when a person sustains serious injury or dies while in contact with police, it is considered objectively serious and may require an independent investigation to determine whether police conduct caused or contributed to the serious injury or death, and if so, whether those involved were acting within the scope of their lawful authority and in the lawful execution of their duties.

ASIRT’s investigation will examine the actions of police during this incident, including the circumstances surrounding the man’s restraint and any force that may have been used.

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.

ASIRT

This release is distributed by the Government of Alberta on behalf of the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team.