Advertisement

ASIRT says ‘no evidence’ Calgary police caused or contributed to man’s death

A file photo of the logo for the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT).
A file photo of the logo for the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT). Supplied to Global News

Alberta’s police watchdog says Calgary Police are not at fault for the death of a man in custody earlier this month.

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) says the man was arrested Oct. 18, after officers were called out to reports of a disturbance with a man acting erratically at a McDonald’s restaurant at  5222 – 130th  Avenue S.E.

The ASIRT report says the man resisted arrest, and following a brief struggle was taken into custody on outstanding warrants, including ones for possession of drugs.

Officers initially found nothing on him but a secondary search at the Arrest Processing Section uncovered a small baggie with a green substance believed to be heroin or fentanyl.

The man was placed in a cell at approximately 8:30 a.m.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

ASIRT says there were adequate periodic safety checks of the man at regular intervals.

Story continues below advertisement

Around 3:44 p.m.,  CCTV video shows the man reached between his legs and took something orally.

Around 4:33 p.m. he appears to have trouble breathing. Officers enter his cell, and an officer who was previously a paramedic begins CPR. A defibrillator is applied and the man is given oxygen and at 5:31 p.m. he was declared deceased.

The Calgary Police Service arrest processing centre is pictured on March 28, 2024. Global News

An autopsy found no obvious cause of death, but the medical examiner is awaiting further toxicology information to determine the cause of death.

The ASIRT report concludes that there is no evidence that any officer caused or contributed to the man’s death.

— with files from the Canadian Press

Advertisement

Sponsored content

AdChoices