LOON LAKE — The Saskatchewan RCMP has reversed its initial decision and has formally asked the province’s police watchdog, the Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT), to investigate an arrest on Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation that was captured on video and went viral online.
The force had initially deemed the use of force against 40-year-old of Rose Georgina Angus to be reasonable, but changed its position on Tuesday.
“As part of our commitment to transparency, and considering public interest, Saskatchewan RCMP has asked the Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) to perform an external independent investigation of the incident,” said the RCMP in a statement late Tuesday.
SIRT has accepted this request, said the RCMP.
RCMP say the officers involved in this incident will remain on duty during the investigation.
RCMP had issued a media release late Monday after footage showing part of the encounter circulated on Facebook, posted by a woman identified as Angus's daughter. The video showed Angus with visible blood on her face after an officer was seen punching her repeatedly in the face during the arrest.
According to RCMP, the incident occurred early in the morning on July 27 when Loon Lake RCMP responded to a report of a drug-impaired person on a street within the First Nation. While en route to that call at approximately 5 a.m., officers observed a wanted man entering a home on the same street.
Police approached the house and spoke with the occupants at the door. Two wanted men were arrested without incident. But during the process, police allege that Angus became confrontational and punched two officers. When directed to stop moving, she reportedly left the entrance area and went down the stairs, where she was arrested outside.
Angus was taken to the detachment where she was treated for what RCMP described as minor injuries. She was held in custody overnight and appeared in Meadow Lake Provincial Court on July 28, where she was released.
FSIN, Meadow Lake Tribal Council and nine Meadow Lake First Nations call for independent review
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) is demanding immediate accountability and a fully independent, transparent investigation following the circulation of the video. FSIN said they recognize the video doesn’t always capture the full context of an incident, but the footage has raised concerns among First Nations leadership, community members, and the public regarding the level of force used and whether it was necessary under the circumstances.
“This is a mother, a community member, and a human being,” said Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation Chief Melvin Mooswa. “What we witnessed in that video is unacceptable. Our women deserve to be always treated with dignity and respect. Two trained and fully equipped officers had a clear physical advantage, yet we see one of them struck her in the head. Our community deserves answers. We deserve accountability. Most importantly, our people deserve better.”
The Meadow Lake Tribal Council and nine Meadow Lake First Nations, which have long advocated for strong public safety measures and effective policing in First Nations communities, also voiced their concern about the incident.
The Meadow Lake Tribal Council and the nine Meadow Lake First Nations have been advocating for policing and public safety on reserves, said Tribal Chief Jeremy Norman.
“We are strong proponents of policing and public safety for our Nation’s, however, we expect the police to conduct their duties in a respectful manner that serves protects and respects our people. It is difficult to see aggressive enforcement on a woman that is much smaller than the two officers which could have been avoided.”
FSIN said the incident comes at a time when First Nations communities continue to work towards strengthening relationships with policing services through greater accountability, mutual respect and public trust. Incidents such as this have a profound impact on public confidence, particularly when they involve Indigenous women and vulnerable community members.
“Police officers are entrusted with extraordinary powers, including the lawful authority to use force when circumstances require it," said FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron. "That authority carries an equally important responsibility to exercise discipline, professionalism, restraint, and sound judgment always.
“What is shown in this video is deeply alarming," he added. "There appears to be a significant imbalance in this encounter. The public has every right to ask how a situation involving two trained, fully equipped officers and one woman escalated to the point where a strike to the head was used. Our people deserve answers, and they deserve to know whether the conduct seen in this video was consistent with the standards the RCMP expects of its officers.”
FSIN is calling for the immediate launch of an independent review into the circumstances surrounding the arrest and the use of force captured on video, including an examination of whether the actions of the officers involved were consistent with RCMP policies, training, and professional standards. FSIN said they will be seeking additional information about the circumstances of the arrest and the wellbeing of the woman involved.
“Whatever occurred before the camera started recording must be fully examined,” said Cameron. “But context cannot be used as an excuse to avoid accountability for what people can clearly see. Indigenous people deserve the same professionalism, restraint, dignity, and protection from police that every person in this country should expect. We are demanding immediate answers, full transparency, and accountability.”
FSIN is urging the RCMP and all relevant civilian oversight authorities to act without delay and ensure that the findings of any investigation are made public. They say accountability is vital not only for the woman involved and her family, but for maintaining public confidence in policing and ensuring that trust between First Nations communities and law enforcement isn’t further eroded.
Story updated July 29 to include comments from FSIN and Meadow Lake Tribal Council.
ljoy@sasktoday.ca
