The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) is investigating the circumstances surrounding an incident earlier this month in which a woman’s arm was broken in the fingerprint room of the Edmonton Police Service’s detainee management unit (DMU).
According to ASIRT, the incident unfolded at about 2:30 p.m. on March 12.
“A 33-year-old woman was escorted to the fingerprint room at the DMU to complete the identification process,” ASIRT said in a news release issued on Monday. “During the identification process, an incident occurred which required the woman to be restrained by DMU staff.
“The woman sustained an injury to her left arm during this incident. Emergency Medical Services were dispatched and transported the woman to hospital, where it was determined that she had suffered a fractured arm.”
The police watchdog said it has obtained video footage that is being reviewed and which may assist in its review.
“ASIRT’s investigation will focus on the police use of force during the identification process, while EPS maintains responsibility over the investigation of the charges that brought the woman into custody,” the civilian oversight agency said.
ASIRT is called on to investigate incidents involving Alberta law enforcement agencies that result in serious injury or death, as well as serious or sensitive allegations of police misconduct.
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