On Oct. 8, the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) was directed to investigate an arrest by Faust detachment RCMP officers on Sept. 10.
At 7:55 a.m. on Sept. 10, Atikameg residents made a 911 call about a male with a large knife walking around the townsite. Officers were dispatched, including two from the Faust RCMP detachment who arrived first.
The officers located the male near the band office at 10:13 a.m. One of the officers told the male to get on the ground. The male put his hands behind his head and began to lower himself to the ground. One of the officers fired his 40mm baton launcher at the male, striking him in the leg. The male continued to lower himself to the ground. He received a bruise to his leg.
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.
Grande Prairie Investigation
On Nov. 10, ASIRT was directed to investigate a pursuit and police shooting in Grande Prairie that occurred earlier that day.
At approximately 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 10, the Grande Prairie Police Service (GPPS) and Grande Prairie RCMP received calls about a male leaving a residence with a small child in his truck. GPPS responded and located the truck. They could see a male and a female in the truck. Officers attempted to stop the truck using their emergency equipment, but the male driver fled.
Officers pursued the male as he drove through the city. At approximately 1:50 p.m., the man drove off the road and his truck rolled near 112 Street and 96 Avenue. GPPS and RCMP officers approached the vehicle and took two small children out of the vehicle. As they were doing so, a gun was fired from within the truck. An RCMP officer shot back, striking the male. The male then surrendered and was arrested.
The male received a non-life-threatening bullet wound. No other occupants were injured.
ASIRT’s investigation will examine the pursuit and 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.
Calgary Police Service Investigation
On Nov. 23, ASIRT was directed to investigate a death during an arrest by Calgary Police Service (CPS) officers that occurred earlier that day.
At 3:59 p.m. that day, emergency medical services (EMS) transferred a call to CPS. The caller explained that her adult son was not making sense, arguing and wanting to smash things. She explained that he had a mental health condition.
Officers arrived at the residence at 4:38 p.m. One officer spoke to the mother who indicated that she wanted her son to go to the hospital. Another officer spoke to the male inside and tried to convince him to go with EMS to the hospital. Two officers joined him inside.
At 4:43 p.m., the male stood up. One of the officers moved to place a hand on his arm and the male punched toward the officer’s face. The officer tackled the male and the other two officers moved in to assist. The male resisted being controlled and the officers used their conducted energy weapons on him multiple times. The officers handcuffed the male, who was now on his stomach, behind his back at 4:45 p.m.
Officers then moved the male into a seated position and noticed that he had stopped breathing at 4:46 p.m. Officers began CPR immediately. EMS took over care of the male and transported him to hospital at 5:30 p.m. He was pronounced deceased at 6:27 p.m.
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.