The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) is investigating after a man was injured while in the custody of Lethbridge police.
At around 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning, a 41-year-old man was detained on the Stafford Drive overpass, after matching the description of a break-and-enter suspect seen on surveillance video at a nearby liquor store in the 200 block of 12th Street North.
ASIRT provided an update Wednesday, saying the officer approached the man and a brief discussion occurred.
Shortly thereafter, ASIRT said the man fell approximately 15 feet (4.5 metres) onto the ground below Stafford Drive.
He suffered a fractured foot that needs surgery and he remains at the Chinook Regional Hospital, ASIRT said.
At the time of the fall, ASIRT said the man was not restrained.
As his injuries occurred during contact with police, the agency is required to conduct an independent investigation.
It will focus on the circumstances surrounding the 41-year-old man’s injuries and whether police conduct may have been a factor.
“I have the utmost confidence in the training, character and professionalism of the officer involved,” said Acting Chief Scott Woods in a news release issued by Lethbridge Police on Tuesday.
“As transparency is critical to public confidence in policing, we welcome ASIRT’s independent investigation and I believe the evidence will confirm the officer acted reasonably.”
Lethbridge police say the officer involved will remain assigned to regular duties. The force said it will not be commenting further to protect the integrity of the ASIRT investigation.
ASIRT said no further information would be released after its Wednesday statement.