'Untimely and tragic': Calgary police cleared of wrongdoing in in-custody death
Alberta's police watchdog has cleared the Calgary Police Service (CPS) of any wrongdoing in their dealings with a man who died in custody in a cell at the Spyhill Services Centre.
The death happened almost two years ago, after the suspect was taken into custody from the Marlborough CTrain Station on Oct. 23, 2020.
Police had been called to the area over concerns of a man with a weapon.
At the time, police said the man was arrested without incident, charged, checked by a medic and placed in a cell.
During a routine check of the cells at 8 p.m., police observed the man eating his meal.
During the next check he was found unresponsive.
Police said though life-saving efforts were taken, the man was pronounced dead at around 8:40 p.m.
ASIRT INVESTIGATION SHEDS LIGHT ON DEATH
On Monday, the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) released the results of an investigation into the death.
According to ASIRT, when arrested, the man was in possession of an airsoft pistol, slingshot and alcohol.
Computer checks revealed he was on probation, with one of the conditions of his release that he was prohibited from consuming or possessing alcohol.
The arrest was captured on body-worn cameras and ASIRT confirmed the man was cooperative when taken into custody and that no force was used.
ASIRT says video recordings of the man while he was in custody show him eating a sandwich he had been provided but also ingesting something else he appeared to be keeping palm of his hand.
"The (man) is then observed apparently discarding something into the toilet and flushing it," reads the ASIRT report.
An autopsy report later concluded the man's death was caused by ethanol, fentanyl and methamphetamine toxicity.
ASIRT concluded that the man "never presented as being in any form of medical distress" during his dealings with officers and CPS staff.
"He had been medically cleared for entry into (the arrest processing section) at the time he was brought there," ASIRT said.
ASIRT concluded that while the man's death was "untimely and tragic," there were "no reasonable grounds nor any reasonable suspicion to believe that officers committed an offence."
MEDIC RAISES CONCERNS
ASIRT noted that during its investigation, a medic within the arrest processing section had raised concerns with the way in which he felt the responding EMS had handled things.
"He was of the opinion that they did not provide the level of treatment one would expect given how (the man) was presenting."
ASIRT contacted the Alberta Health Service's (AHS) investigations unit and provided them with details of the concerns raised.
"It was left with AHS to determine whether to commence an investigation into the reported actions of the attending EMS members," said ASIRT.
In a statement provided to CTV News, AHS said they received information earlier this year regarding the "alleged conduct of two AHS paramedics" and "immediately conducted a full review and investigation."
"There was found to be no evidence of any professional misconduct nor improper patient treatment on the part of the AHS paramedics.
"The investigation is closed."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city, marking the first franchise in Canada
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Federal government bans watercraft from Manitoba lake popular with tourists
The threat of zebra mussels has prompted the federal government to temporarily ban watercraft from a Manitoba lake popular with tourists.
Her SUV was stolen in Montreal. A Good Samaritan on Facebook helped her get it back
Just as she had feared, a restaurant owner from eastern Quebec who visited Montreal had her SUV stolen, but says it was all thanks to the kindness of strangers on the internet — not the police — that she got it back.