On Dec. 23, 2025, High Level RCMP responded to a call about a stolen vehicle. At about 7:30 p.m., an officer found the vehicle abandoned in Bushe River on Dene Tha’ First Nation. Officers searched for a suspect and arrested a man nearby.
Officers brought the man to the High Level RCMP detachment for processing shortly after 9 p.m. During the booking process, an officer struck the man, and the man sustained an injury to his face during the interaction. Officers called paramedics to the detachment, and they brought the man to the hospital.
The Police Review Commission has directed ASIRT to investigate the event as a Level 1 matter, which the Police Act defines as a case involving serious injury, death, or serious or sensitive allegations relating to the actions of an officer.
Information released at this stage is based on the initial information available to investigators. The investigation is ongoing, and ASIRT has no further information to release at this time.
ASIRT operates within the Police Review Commission, an independent, civilian-led agency that investigates criminal allegations and public complaints involving police services in Alberta. ASIRT independently and objectively investigates incidents that result in death, serious injury and potential criminal offences involving all Alberta police services, as well as serious matters involving peace officers.
This release is distributed by the Government of Alberta on behalf of the Police Review Commission.