ASIRT provides findings of separate deaths that occurred during police incidents

Alberta’s police watchdog has concluded a pair of investigations that involved people dying while interacting with police.

The first incident happened in July 2018. RCMP responded to a call of an individual that was damaging vehicles at a hotel in St. Paul, Alberta.

When officers arrived they found the individual in the hotel lobby wearing only a pair of shorts. Reports say officers tried to speak with the individual but were unsuccessful, and an arrest attempt was made. An altercation occurred, and the individual grabbed scissors, at which point one of the officers fired their taser.

The altercation further escalated, one of the officers was overpowered by the individual and was struck multiple times in the head, face and back. This resulted in the individual being tased multiple times, but they continued to resist police attempts to be put in custody. During the altercation, one of the officers lost their taser and was shocked.

ASIRT said, “several kicks and punches were deployed during the altercation and a lateral neck restraint was attempted while trying to gain control and bring the affected person to the ground.

“After struggling while on the ground, the affected person stopped resisting. The subject officers held the affected person down until an additional officer, witness officer #1, arrived and handcuffs could be applied. Once restrained, the affected person was found to be in medical distress. First aid and CPR was initiated and continued until an ambulance arrived, and EMS personnel took over the medical care of the affected person.”

The individual was taken to the hospital where they were pronounced dead.

The autopsy report noted all the injuries that were sustained during the altercation with RCMP, however, it added that blood and body fluid testing indicated the individual had taken cocaine sometime before the incident.

“Doctor Weinberg reported that based on the circumstances, investigative information, history, and autopsy findings, the affected person died as a result of excited delirium syndrome that occurred secondary to cocaine toxicity. Struggle during attempted police restraint and atherosclerotic coronary artery disease were significant contributory conditions,” read ASIRTs report.

ASIRT ruled that due to all the surrounding evidence and witness testimonies, “the force used was necessary and reasonable in all the circumstances, notwithstanding the tragic outcome.”

The second incident occurred in June 2019. Edmonton Police Services responded to a call of a man that was starting fires outside an apartment building.

Officers say they located the suspect around 114 Street and Jasper Avenue. The officers added when they tried to detain him, an altercation occurred.

“The suspect was taken to the ground, physically controlled, and restrained using handcuffs, a hobble strap (a strap designed to restrain the legs from moving/kicking),” read the ASIRT report. “Several officers lifted and carried the suspect to a police prisoner van. When the suspect was placed in the rear compartment of the van he was found to be in medical distress.

“He was taken out of the van and onto the street at which time officers and then paramedics attempted to resuscitate him. The suspect was taken to hospital in life-threatening condition. Two days later he passed away having never regained consciousness.”

An autopsy was later conducted and revealed the cause of death was the struggle with police, however, it also noted that methamphetamine use was also a key factor in the death.

Following a many witness statements from the public and other officers, ASIRT concluded the officers involved handled the situation appropriately. “There is no evidence to support any belief that any of the subject officers engaged in any unlawful or unreasonable conduct that would give rise to an offence. The force used was necessary and reasonable in all the circumstances, notwithstanding the tragic outcome,” read the ASIRT report.