Manitoba man hit by RCMP vehicle in Yorkton, SIRT investigating

A 22-year-old man was hit by a police vehicle last week, resulting in an investigation by the Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team.

According to a statement issued by the RCMP on Tuesday, officers responded to a call of a reported theft at a store on Broadway Street in Yorkton just before 5 p.m. on Sept. 17.

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The RCMP said a man was throwing rocks at a store employee when he was joined by another man and ran away.

Shortly after, the RCMP said police were told by a different caller that the two men were now throwing rocks at dogs and had threatened the caller with bear spray.

Police located the two men, who ran off in different directions.

“Police officers followed one of the two males, a 22-year-old man, into a grassy area. One officer was on foot and one officer was driving a police vehicle. The 22-year-old male was hit by the police vehicle and fell,” the RCMP said.

Paramedics were called and took the man to hospital for treatment. Police said his injuries weren’t believed to be life-threatening.

RCMP noted that the Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team will investigate the circumstances of the injury. The provincial agency is mandated to investigate cases where death or serious injury results from the actions of police officers in Saskatchewan.

“SIRT determined the incident to be in the scope of their mandate and directed Saskatchewan RCMP’s Criminal Operations to investigate the incident under SIRT’s oversight,” the Mounties said.

“Additionally, the RCMP has several internal and external review processes that ensure our police officers are accountable for all police intervention occurrences. In this instance, an internal investigation by professional standards has been launched by the Saskatchewan RCMP.”

The 22-year-old man from Mallard, Man. has been charged with possession of property obtained by crime, uttering threats and resisting arrest.

He is scheduled to appear in Yorkton court on Oct. 27.

The second man was located while officers were investigating another report the same day.

The 20-year-old from Yorkton is facing several charges, including theft, assault, uttering threats and resisting a police officer.

He appeared in Yorkton court on Tuesday.