The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has completed its investigation into an injury that occurred while an individual was apprehended by Parkland RCMP, finding the officer used lawful force in the execution of his duties.
ASIRT Executive Director Matthew Block began investigating the April 30, 2024, incident on May 2, 2024, after an individual reportedly suffered a broken arm while being apprehended by an RCMP officer under the Mental Health Act.
That day, an officer attended a rural property in Parkland County, near Brightbank, with three mental health employees from Alberta Health Services. The officer reported calmly and clearly communicating with a male about his apprehension for about 45 minutes, without compliance. The individual was allegedly uncooperative, raising his voice and yelling throughout the interaction.
A mental health assessment was completed, at which point the officer said he attempted to put the man in handcuffs. As he took hold of the individual’s arm, an audible “pop” sound was heard, and the individual being arrested said his arm had been broken.
He was taken to the Grey Nuns Hospital, where the presence of a fracture to his left arm/elbow was confirmed. He was treated with a splint cast and admitted for psychiatric care.
Members of the mental health team who were interviewed in the investigation corroborated the officer’s report that the male was quite agitated, and it was a difficult situation to manage as the only officer.
Body camera footage from the incident is also reportedly consistent with the responding officer’s report.
Considering all accounts, Block determined the officer was acting properly in the execution of his duties. He says the injuries caused to the individual’s arm were unfortunate and unintended consequences of a lawful use of force.
The full ASIRT report is available here.
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