SASKATOON – While few details are known surrounding the death of a man in a police detention cell, Saskatoon’s police chief is responding to the role mental health and addiction issues play in the number of intoxication arrests.
The 57-year-old man was arrested on the evening of Jan. 15 and was found dead in his cell the following morning.
Although his name has not been released and a toxicology report will take months to conduct, Saskatoon Police Service Chief Clive Weighill said every effort was taken to ensure his safety.
That included being assessed by an on-duty paramedic upon his arrival and being checked on overnight by detention staff every 10 minutes.
“That check doesn’t mean they actually open up the door and look in, but they look for signs of breathing, make sure the person has moved so many times and those checks were all done,” said Weighill.
“Sometimes, even with your best effort, you miss something, you don’t see something, but that will all come out in the investigation and the inquest.”
On July 1, 2011, a two year action accord pilot project began in the detention unit.
EMT services were introduced to work in the unit to enhance the care and safety of those brought in for intoxication.
The project was prompted by three deaths in eight months and police have confirmed the latest death is the first on the unit since that time.
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“We’re trying to move ahead with a wellness centre in Saskatoon and, by default, the police end up having to house these people in the detention area,” said Weighill.
“It’s a health issue, it’s not a criminal issue, and people that are unfortunate to have a mental illness or addiction problems shouldn’t be housed in a police detention cell, there should be a proper facility for it.”
According to police, a number of the intoxication arrests made every year are repeat offenders.
A percentage of individuals have been arrested up to 80 a year and are often homeless with addition issues.
In response, a number of agencies say they will continue to push for the creation of a long-term wellness centre, in the hope of breaking this cycle.
2011 year-end arrest totals:
Male adult arrests: 7,727
Female adult arrests: 2,235
Male young offender arrests: 1,014
Female young offender arrests: 617
Intoxication arrests: 1,876
2012 year-end arrest totals:
Male adult arrests: 7,907
Female adult arrests: 2,244
Male young offender arrests: 942
Female young offender arrests: 534
Intoxication arrests: 2,019
Stats: Saskatoon Police Service
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