Lawyer for Indigenous woman arrested by RCMP says officer used excessive force
![RCMP officer assaulted during Red Deer stop Laura Phypers's lawyer says she was assaulted during an altercation with an Innisfail RCMP officer on June 3, 2023. (Supplied/Andrew Phypers)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2023/6/6/rcmp-officer-assaulted-during-red-deer-stop-1-6429442-1686068082589.png)
Innisfail RCMP say an officer was attacked by the driver and passenger of a truck they'd stopped on suspicion of impaired driving on Saturday, but the accused's lawyer has a different story of the encounter.
Officials say the officer stopped the truck after it allegedly went through a stop sign near the Innisfail Hospital on June 3.
"The driver and passenger were both intoxicated, belligerent and verbally aggressive with the officer," police said in a release.
"The driver was arrested for refusal to provide a breath sample, but refused to exit the vehicle. When police attempted to remove the driver, the passenger grabbed the driver to prevent her from being arrested."
The driver was eventually removed, but the passenger then got out of the truck and threatened the officer, RCMP said.
While the officer was attempting to bring the situation under control, police say the driver attacked him.
Eventually, both suspects were arrested.
The driver, Desiree Friesen, 24, of Red Deer, is charged with:
- Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle;
- Assaulting a peace officer;
- Resisting arrest; and
- Refusing to provide a breath sample.
The passenger, Laura Phypers, 37, of Red Deer, is charged with:
- Assaulting a peace officer;
- Obstructing a peace officer; and
- Uttering threats.
LAWYER SAYS OFFICER USED EXCESSIVE FORCE
Despite what the RCMP release stated, Andrew Phyper, who is Laura's brother said the woman, who herself is an Indigenous defence lawyer based in Red Deer, was attacked after requesting the officer obtain a clean straw for the screening device.
In a statement sent to CTV News on Monday, Andrew says the officer "escalated" the situation by pulling Friesen out of the vehicle.
When Laura came to the aid of her friend, Andrew says the constable attacked her.
"(The officer) delivered no less than seven closed-fist punches to the head and chest of Ms. Phypers. While roadside, Ms. Friesen was forced onto her face, and had her head slammed multiple times into the gravel."
(Supplied/Andrew Phypers)
The statement says Laura suffered a concussion, a broken nose, muscle damage, and has serious facial and cranial bruising as a result of the altercation. Friesen suffered bruising to her face, cranium, back, neck and back.
Both suspects were released on a promise to appear at the Alberta Court of Justice in Red Deer on June 20.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6854318.1713550603!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
Tropical fish stolen from Beachburg, Ont. restaurant found and returned
Ontario Provincial Police have landed a suspect following a fishy theft in Beachburg, Ont.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.