ASIRT has concluded an investigation into an incident involving a Lethbridge Police Service officer in October 2018. (File photo: LNN)

By Justin Goulet

ASIRT concludes use of force investigation involving LPS officer

Aug 24, 2023 | 3:15 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has completed its investigation into an incident involving a member of the Lethbridge Police Service (LPS).

On November 1, 2018, pursuant to the Police Act, ASIRT was directed to investigate a use of force by an LPS officer, referred to in the report as the subject officer (SO).

The report noted that on October 27 and into the early morning hours of October 28, 2018, individuals were holding a party at a community hall in the 600 block of 21 Street in Lethbridge. Multiple calls were made to the LPS, as the party became large and disorderly, according to the report.

Police arrived on scene shortly after 1:30 a.m. on October 28.

The report includes accounts from civilian witnesses, who alleged the SO punched an individual, referred to as the affected person (AP), before arresting him.

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The SO alleged that he pushed the AP, and “threw a check” at him, which moved the person back. The SO said he was tackled by a civilian witness, who ran away. The SO said he had a sore neck, headache, and cuts to his forearm, hands, and knee because of the incident.

A video from the scene was captured and provided as part of the ASIRT investigation.

The report stated that the video shows the SO grabbing the AP around the throat and punching him once with his right hand.

The investigation found that there were reasonable grounds to believe an offence may have been committed by the SO. As required by the Police Act, the matter was referred to the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service (ACPS) on February 22, 2023 for an opinion on if charges should be laid.

On May 8, 2023, the ACPS provided an opinion to ASIRT that recommended no charges be laid against the SO. The ACPS said prosecution was not in the public interest due to the lengthy delay of the investigation. ASIRT said it has recently taken steps to make sure, as best as possible, that when grounds exist for the Executive Director to send a file to ACPS, it is sent as soon as possible.

In conclusion, following the recommendation from the ACPS, AIRST will not lay charges against the SO.

The full report from ASIRT can be viewed at the Government of Alberta website.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

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