Serious Incident Response Team investigates man’s injury after P.A. arrest

Saskatchewan’s newly minted Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) is investigating a serious injury that happened in police custody in Prince Albert on Saturday.

The team’s mandate is to independently investigate any incidents in which a person dies or suffers a serious injury “arising from the actions of on- and off-duty police officers, or while in the custody of police, as well as allegations of sexual assault or interpersonal violence involving police.”

According to the Ministry of Justice, a black Dodge Avenger was reported stolen by its owner Saturday evening. The vehicle was spotted by Prince Albert police officers, who performed a traffic stop.

“Police attempted to take a 40-year-old man into custody and an altercation occurred,” the ministry said in a statement.

“During that altercation, the vehicle was put in motion, colliding with a marked (Prince Albert police) vehicle, and several intermediate weapons were used by police, including conducted energy weapons (CEWs), collapsible batons, and Oleoresin Capiscum (OC) spray.

“Once the man had been taken into custody, EMS attended the scene, and the man was observed to be in medical distress. EMS provided care and the man was transported to hospital where he remains in serious condition.”

After the SIRT was notified, a team including the civilian executive director and four investigators were sent to the scene, the ministry said. A community liaison will also be appointed to the case, the ministry added.

“During the course of SIRT’s investigation, a loaded handgun was recovered from the scene and secured as an exhibit,” the ministry said.

The response team will scrutinize the police conduct during the arrest, including the circumstances and cause of the injury, the ministry said, and a final report will be released within 90 days of the conclusion of the investigation.