TURTLEFORD — The death of a 37-year-old man arrested by Turtleford RCMP on Thunderchild First Nation on July 29 is being investigated by the Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT).
The death of the man while in police custody was reported to SIRT at 4:05 p.m. that day.
According to Turtleford RCMP, officers arrived at a residence on the Thunderchild First Nation at 12:20 p.m., to arrest man, who was wanted in relation to several break and enter offences. Police say the man was believed to be inside the residence, but another occupant of the residence denied that he was present. RCMP was denied access to the residence, so a judicial authorization to enter the residence for the purpose of the arrest was sought.
The authorization was granted, and at 1 p.m., RCMP entered the residence and located the 37-year-old man hiding inside.
What follows in the Turtleford RCMP’s account of ensuing circumstances and actions.
At 1:03 p.m., the man was arrested without incident and was subsequently removed from the residence and placed inside an RCMP vehicle. The RCMP vehicle departed the scene at 1:19 p.m. and transported the man to the Turtleford RCMP Detachment, arriving at 1:28 p.m. The man was searched and booked into custody. He was placed inside of a cell at 1:36 p.m.
While the man was inside the cell, RCMP members present inside the detachment were notified by guard staff that he appeared to be in medical distress, and at 2:59 p.m., RCMP members entered the cell and immediately administered naloxone. Emergency Medical Services was contacted and RCMP members provided first aid to the man. At 3:21 p.m., local medical staff arrived at the detachment and assisted with the man's care until EMS arrived at 3:28 p.m. EMS assumed responsibility for the man's care and attempted to resuscitate him until 4:01 p.m., when he was pronounced deceased.
Following the notification, a SIRT team consisting of two SIRT investigators was deployed to Turtleford to begin their investigation. A community liaison will also be appointed. SIRT's investigation will examine the conduct of police during this incident, including the circumstances surrounding the man's death. The RCMP will maintain responsibility for the investigation into the offences which brought the man into custody. No further information will be released at this time. A final report will be issued to the public within 90 days of the investigation ending.
SIRT's mandate is to investigate alleged cases of serious injury, death, sexual assault or interpersonal violence arising from the actions or omissions of on and off-duty police officers, or while an individual is in police custody.
For updates on SIRT investigations, follow SIRT on X.
