On Oct. 16, the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) was directed to investigate an injury during arrest in Edmonton.
On Oct. 14 at approximately 1:30 a.m., two Edmonton Police Service officers were parked outside a licensed establishment on 106 Street and 107 Avenue NW in a marked police vehicle. The two officers had a male arrested on an unrelated matter.
Another male, who appeared to be intoxicated, approached the police vehicle and attempted to speak to the police at the driver's window. The police officer on the passenger side exited the police vehicle and spoke to the male. The police officer then told him that he was under arrest. As captured on CCTV in the parking lot, the male appeared to pull away from the officer. The officer then took the male to ground where his head and face hit the pavement.
The male was taken to the University of Alberta hospital for assessment. A CT scan showed a brain bleed. It is currently unclear if that was the result of the incident that day or an earlier incident on Sept. 27.
ASIRT’s investigation will examine 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 403-592-4306.
RCMP investigation
On Oct. 31, the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) was directed to investigate a use of force on a female in custody at the Gleichen RCMP detachment.
On Oct. 30 at 9:50 p.m., Gleichen RCMP officers arrested a female for mischief. On being arrested, the female had visible blood on her face and said she had been beaten up. An officer told her that emergency medical services (EMS) would be called.
Officers then took the female to the detachment, arriving at 10:04 p.m. The female asked for an ambulance and was told one had been called. The female was brought into cells while handcuffed behind her back.
An officer and the female were then in a cell. The officer repeatedly asked the female to remove her shoes and the female responded by swearing and asking for an ambulance. The female then turned away from the officer. The officer grabbed her arm and kicked her legs out from under her. The female hit the ground with her face.
EMS arrived a short time later. The female’s injuries included a cut on her upper lip and a lost tooth.
ASIRT’s investigation will examine the use of force. No additional information will be released.
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.