An investigation of the use of force by two Lloydminster RCMP officers during a 2019 arrest found no use of unreasonable force. (File photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

RCMP invest

Lloydminster RCMP deemed to have used reasonable force in 2019 arrest

Apr 9, 2021 | 10:00 AM

Following a two-year investigation by the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT), officers of the Lloydminster RCMP detachment were deemed to have used reasonable force in an arrest that occurred in 2019.

According to a release from Alberta RCMP earlier this week, ASIRT was directed to investigate the circumstances surrounding injuries sustained by a 33 year-old man during his arrest on April 29 of that year. Under Section 25 of the Criminal Code, a police officer is authorized to use as much force as is necessary in order to carry out their lawful duties.

As detailed in the release, Lloydminster RCMP had observed a male driver of a Dodge Ram 2500 that had been stolen earlier in the day from a local vehicle repair shop. The man was not only caught on video, but also under investigation in relation to a homicide that occurred two days earlier.

After the truck fled police, officers later found the truck in an industrial area of the city and cut it off when they observed plumes of smoke due to possible engine failure. The driver fled on foot, eventually stumbling on gravel and refusing to stay when ordered to do so.

One of the officers, who had already drawn his taser, then drew his firearm upon noticing the man had a handgun. When the man tried to flee again and pointed his weapon, the officer fired his service pistol. The man ended up running behind a parked Volkswagen Jetta and raised his firearm again, during which the officer fired and hit the suspect in the shoulder. Eventually, the man pushed his gun away, was placed in handcuffs and received medical attention before being transported to hospital.

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In the review of the incident, physical, video and civilian witness evidence confirm the placement of the two officers, the five shots being fired by the first police officer over the course of 22 seconds and the man keeping his firearm until the officer’s final shot.

In the view of ASIRT, the evidence conclusively establishes that both police officers acted in accordance to the law and had reasonable cause to believe their lives were endangered, thus making the use of force reasonable. During his interview, the man denied any intention to harm police; despite evidence that showed he refused to obey police commands and continued to brandish a firearm. As a result, no charges will be laid.

An image of a recovered .22 calibre handgun from the incident scene is not being released at this time, as it relates to a matter that remains before the courts.

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cjnbnews@jpbg.ca

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