Saskatchewan’s Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) is investigating after a man was seriously injured during an arrest by Battlefords RCMP on Mosquito Grizzly Bear’s Head Lean Man First Nation, according to a release from the Saskatchewan government.
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SIRT received notification from the RCMP on Oct. 7 at approximately 11:17 a.m. regarding a use-of-force incident that occurred the previous day, the release states.
What happened during the traffic stop
Battlefords RCMP members activated their emergency equipment to initiate a traffic stop on a vehicle travelling on the First Nation at approximately 12:27 p.m. on Oct. 6.
The vehicle turned into the driveway of a residence and came to a stop and two passengers, an adult male and an adult female, exited the vehicle and were instructed by police to remain inside, officials say.
The driver, an adult male, self-identified as having a suspended licence and outstanding warrants and was arrested without incident.
At approximately 12:29 p.m., while speaking with police, the female passenger identified the male passenger as a person with a disability.
Four minutes later, at 12:33 p.m., a confrontation occurred between police and the rear-seat passenger, a 45-year-old male.
Police informed the man he was under arrest, removed him from the rear of the vehicle and placed him in handcuffs. During these events, the man sustained a serious injury within the meaning of The Police Act, 1990, according to the release.
SIRT’s role and next steps
SIRT’s civilian executive director accepted the notification as falling within the watchdog’s mandate and directed a full investigation, officials say.
A team of six SIRT investigators has been assigned to the file, and a community liaison will also be appointed under the Police Act, according to the release.
SIRT’s investigation will examine the actions of police during the incident. The RCMP remains responsible for any separate investigation into the actions of the vehicle’s occupants, officials say.
No further details have been released at this time. A final report is expected to be issued to the public within 90 days of the investigation’s conclusion, according to the release.
SIRT’s mandate covers alleged cases of serious injury, death, sexual assault or interpersonal violence arising from the actions of on- or off-duty police officers, or incidents involving individuals in police custody.
A pattern of watchdog activity in the region
The investigation is the latest in a series of SIRT files involving detachments across northwest Saskatchewan. The watchdog previously confirmed it was investigating North Battleford RCMP last year, and more recently examined an in-custody death at Turtleford.
Updates on the investigation can be followed through SIRT’s official social media channels. Media inquiries may be directed to Kerri Ward-Davis with Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Justice and Attorney General in Regina.
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