CARLYLE — The Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) has completed its investigation and cleared officers of wrongdoing following an in-custody death at the Carlyle RCMP detachment.
On Dec. 13, 2024, at approximately 12:20 a.m., Carlyle RCMP received a call reporting an assault on White Bear First Nation. Three RCMP members responded to the call and located two injured individuals, who were transported to hospital.
In addition to the injured parties, a 49-year-old man, subsequently referred to as the affected person, was arrested and transported to the Carlyle RCMP detachment, where he was placed in a cell at approximately 1:30 a.m.
At approximately 9:07 a.m., the affected person was observed to be in medical distress and CPR was started. RCMP members provided first aid until EMS arrived at approximately 9:26 a.m. and assumed responsibility for his care. At approximately 9:55 a.m., the affected person was pronounced dead by EMS.
Based on their roles in the initial arrest and transport of the affected person, two members of the RCMP were designated as subject officers within the meaning of The Police Regulations. Despite being under no legal obligation to do so, both subject officers voluntarily participated in interviews with SIRT investigators, providing evidence of their own actions and perceptions during the incident.
Several civilian witnesses were also identified and interviewed during SIRT’s investigation.
An autopsy was conducted shortly after the affected person’s death. It determined that he had died from the combined toxicity of ethanol and multiple drugs with respiratory and central nervous system depressive effects. The affected person was also determined to have atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which contributed to his death.
At the time of the incident, three members from the Carlyle RCMP detachment responded to a domestic assault complaint on White Bear First Nation, arriving at approximately 12:40 a.m. along with EMS.
Upon arrival, the members were informed that the affected person had allegedly assaulted his 24-year-old son, who was subsequently found injured on the living room floor.
The affected person, who was described as appearing intoxicated and behaving in an agitated manner, was informed that he was under arrest and instructed to turn around. He complied and was placed in handcuffs without incident.
While the affected person appeared unsteady on his feet as he was escorted out of the residence, he walked from the residence to the police vehicle under his own power. At no time was physical force used during his arrest or movement to the vehicle.
After walking into the cellblock area from the secure bay, the affected person stopped and dropped to his knees before lying on his back. Verbal and physical efforts to get him to stand were unsuccessful, and one of the subject officers removed the affected person’s handcuffs, at which time he returned to a seated position.
Unable to convince the affected person to stand, the two subject officers pulled him by his arms to the open cell door in a semi-seated position and then pulled him inside the cell while he remained in a reclined position.
SIRT determined no police force was used and no wrongdoing occurred on the part of the officers.
Following a review of the totality of the evidence in the case, and considering in particular the conduct of the affected person’s arrest, the ongoing monitoring of the affected person while he remained in custody and the response of police once it was determined that he was unresponsive, SIRT determined there are no grounds to believe any police officer committed a Criminal Code offence during the incident.
No charges will be laid.
