The RCMP have asked Prince Albert Police Service to investigate an arrest made by one of their members in Battleford.
On May 14th of this year, a 40 year old man was arrested by a Battleford RCMP constable in connection to a disturbance call.
A second Battleford RCMP constable came to the scene to assist and while the suspect was handcuffed and laying on teh ground, a physical altercation took place between that second constable and the handcuffed man.
Internal and external complaints were made over the level of use used. Based on the findings of the review undertaken by Battleford RCMP, the Battleford detachment, in August, ordered a statutory investigation as well as an RCMP Code of Conduct investigation.
Saskatchewan RCMP will conduct the RCMP Code of Conduct investigation in relation to the allegations of excessive force. The Prince Albert Police Service will investigate the circumstances of the incident and allegations of assault.
The constable involved has been suspended from duty with pay until the two investigations come to a conclusion and the RCMP say the 40 year old man involved didn’t report any injuries.
A Canadian Press report today indicates the Saskatchewan government is looking at how other provinces handle police oversight after years of being criticized for police policing police. Saskatchewan is one of the only provinces without an independent civilian-led agency that investigates police actions that result in injury or death.