The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has concluded an investigation into a 2020 assault involving Red Deer RCMP officers.
ASIRT’s investigation explained that in November 2020, two police officers observed a vehicle with a stolen licence plate, and one attempted a traffic stop, but the driver exited the vehicle and fled on foot.
The second officer remained with the vehicle and found knives and tools inside.
A Police Service Dog (PSD) arrived on the scene and began to track the suspect, who was found hiding under a travel trailer at a residence.
Police warned the suspect to come out from hiding, but he did not comply.
The PSD removed the suspect from under the trailer, by biting onto his jacket and pulling him out. The suspect stuck the PSD, and the dog re-engaged and bit the suspect's head.
While the suspect was sitting on the ground, one officer hit him multiple times, before he was handcuffed.
The suspect was taken to the Red Deer detachment, assessed by EMS, and then taken to the Red Deer Hospital.
While at the hospital, he received medical treatment for a fracture and a large laceration on his scalp.
ASIRT’s investigation conclusion explained that the police officer was justified in using force, and there was no evidence to support unlawful or unreasonable conduct.
“While the use of the PSD did result in the suspect suffering some significant injuries, this was an unfortunate and unintended consequence of a lawful use of force,” ASIRT’s report conclusion said. “The respective uses of force by the subject officers were proportionate, necessary, and reasonable in all of the circumstances.”