A Manitoba judge is recommending mandatory methamphetamine training for police and corrections officers after the death of a 31-year-old man who was in custody.
Judge Brent Stewart’s inquest report says since meth has become so prevalent on streets, officers need to know the signs, symptoms and how to book someone who has taken the illicit drug.
Russell Andrew Spence told police he had taken meth when he was picked up in October 2016.
A nurse was not called to check on Spence while he was in the remand centre, despite his acting strangely, chanting and sweating profusely.
The inquest report says Spence had a large heart and it was that, coupled with drug use, other medication and a scuffle with police, that led to his death.
The Addictions Foundation of Manitoba has said meth use has increased by more than 100 per cent in adults and nearly 50 per cent in youth since 2014.
Winnipeg’s police chief has said much of the city’s violent crime is linked to addictions and methamphetamine. The mayor has called on all levels of government to work together to tackle the crisis.
Stewart’s report, released Wednesday, says the criminal justice system has “exponentially become embroiled with the use of methamphetamine in criminal activities.” He adds that the officers and corrections workers who interacted with Spence had not been trained on how to respond.
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“Clearly the witnesses who testified reflected a complete lack of knowledge as to the effects and indicia of methamphetamine on individuals who they deal with such as Mr. Spence,” Stewart writes.
Wanted help
Officers originally came into contact with Spence after a call from a Winnipeg convenience store for a wellness check. Spence had walked into the store, put a knife and a pair of scissors on the counter and asked the clerk to call police.
He also said he wasn’t there to hurt anyone but simply wanted help, the inquest report says.
When officers arrived, Spence was immediately handcuffed and put in a police car. He was arrested for possession of a weapon.
Officers noted that Spence was sweating heavily and uttering strange things. Spence told them he was being chased, but there were no signs that was true.
He said he had been using meth earlier in the day, but officers noted no signs of intoxication. Officers did recommend a psychiatric assessment.
The strange behaviour continued with Spence chanting and singing as he was driven to the remand centre. As he was being processed by corrections officers, his bizarre comments continued, the report says.
“Despite these comments, no concern was shown by the officers that the remarks might reflect an imminent outburst.”
Soon after, Spence charged an officer and there was a skirmish in an area of the remand centre used for showers and searches. More officers responded to try to get Spence under control and at least one officer was on top of Spence’s upper back and heart region during the brawl.
Spence suddenly stopped moving. He was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Stewart also recommends that all officers who transfer prisoners should be made aware of the risk factors reflected on a person’s log sheet, including use of street drugs and medical conditions.
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