LPS “Use of Force Statistics Report” shows increase from 2016 to 2017

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According to the report, there are two types of ‘use of force’ categories: Category I, involving events of a minor nature, and Category II, those involving a higher-level use of force like using tasers and sock rounds or hands-on and pointing firearms.

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In 2017, there were 33 incidents of Category I events, down from 40 in 2016.

But Category II incidents rose 52 per cent in 2017 with 96 compared to 63 recorded the previous year.

The report indicates that the large increase can be attributed to the volume of calls LPS received, along with the nature and behaviour of the subjects police say they are now regularly encountering.

According to the statistics, most of those involved in either Category I or Category II incidents are men between the ages of 18 and 35, between 130 and 200 pounds and between 5’7″ and 6’2″.

Most them were also perceived by officers to be either agitated, suicidal, intoxicated or to have a mental health condition.

Most of the interactions also occurred from November to January, and in July, with 38 percent occurring on Lethbridge’s southside, 25 per cent on the northside, 20 per cent on the westside and 16 percent in the downtown core.