Woman throwing rocks injured by Edmonton police during arrest; ASIRT investigating

Alberta’s police watchdog is investigating the use of force after a woman needed surgery following her arrest by Edmonton police earlier this month.

The woman, who was allegedly intoxicated, was injured in a struggle with an officer during which she was “brought to the ground,” according to the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT).

The watchdog says it happened Oct. 10 at 9:33 a.m., when two Edmonton Police Service officers were called to 97 Street and 127 Avenue after an intoxicated man and woman were allegedly throwing rocks at the intersection.

The man was arrested for public intoxication and placed in a police vehicle, ASIRT says. The woman was injured as officers attempted to place her under arrest.

An officer was also injured during the struggle and needed treatment in hospital, ASIRT adds. The officer was released later that day.

ASIRT says neither of the two officers involved were equipped with body-worn cameras. EPS began providing bodycams to its officers last month in a phased rollout.