On June 20, 2016, the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) was directed by the Director of Law Enforcement to investigate the circumstances surrounding an incident resulting in an Edmonton Police Service (EPS) officer deploying a conducted energy weapon (CEW).
On that date at approximately 6:45 a.m., EPS received a weapons-related complaint involving an adult man. When EPS officers arrived on scene, they located the man running away, holding a knife. The officers pursued the man on foot and a short time later, confronted him. A CEW, commonly known as a Taser, was deployed and the man fell backwards hitting his head on the pavement. He was arrested and taken into custody. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) was called and following an assessment, the man was taken to hospital. Further examination revealed the man had sustained a head injury that was determined to be non-life-threatening.
ASIRT’s investigation will focus on the circumstances surrounding the conduct of the officers and the deployment of the Taser.
ASIRT’s mandate is to effectively, independently, and objectively investigate incidents involving Alberta’s police that have resulted in serious injury or death to any person, as well as serious or sensitive allegations of police misconduct.