An RCMP officer is facing assault charges following an investigation by the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) into a 2020 incident involving the arrest of several suspects in Maskwacîs.
The details were outlined in an executive director’s report released on April 16, concluding a probe that began on March 24, 2021.
“ASIRT’s investigation was comprehensive and thorough, conducted using current investigative protocols, and in accordance with the principles of major case management,” said ASIRT executive director Michael Ewenson. “Relevant police and civilian witnesses were interviewed. Importantly, video evidence from police in-car video recording systems was obtained. All of this provided enough information to allow a decision to be made on how this event should be addressed.”
Incident Overview
On November 14, 2020, RCMP officers responded to a report involving several men who were allegedly vandalizing a home, firing weapons, and fleeing the scene in a vehicle. Police located the suspect vehicle and pursued it in a lengthy chase that ended when the vehicle became stuck in the snow after driving through a field.
According to dash camera footage, the driver exited the vehicle with his hands up and lay prone on the ground. Despite surrendering, the unnamed officer reportedly “applied force” to the individual.
A second officer approached the vehicle and issued commands to the other occupants. When the rear passenger door was found locked, the second officer smashed the window with the butt of his carbine rifle and opened the door. Two more suspects exited and surrendered, lying next to the first suspect, while the unnamed officer continued to apply force before moving on to one of the passengers.
The second officer was also seen on video appearing to stomp on the driver’s leg “at least twice” and striking the leg with his rifle.
After the suspects were handcuffed, the unnamed officer reportedly “dealt with one of the passengers” and applied more force.
Charges and Prosecutorial Decision
ASIRT concluded that both officers had committed assaults and referred the case to the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service (ACPS) for review.
However, ACPS recommended charges only against the unnamed officer. Charges were not recommended for the second officer.
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