The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team has released its report on an altercation involving officers with the Lethbridge Police Service that injured two people. (Photo: ASIRT)

By David Opinko

LPS officers absolved after two injured in 2019 arrests

Nov 17, 2023 | 11:27 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The investigation into an incident were police officers in Lethbridge injured two suspects has been completed.

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) was tasked with looking into the altercation, which took place on November 21, 2019.

At approximately 3:00 a.m., two Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) officers were called to a home on reports of a domestic disturbance.

About one hour after responding to the initial incident, police were called back to the same residence on a separate complaint.

The officers determined that an adult woman had provided a fake name because she knew she had outstanding warrants for her arrest.

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The woman went outside and the officers attempted to bring her back into the home, but ASIRT said she tried to get away. One of the officers grabbed her by her shirt, causing her to lose balance and fall down.

According to the report, the woman did not comply with the officers’ requests and struggled to free herself.

One of the woman’s children, a 12-year-old girl, jumped on the back of one of the officers and punched him in the shoulder.

After being pushed away, the girl allegedly ran towards the officers a second time.

ASIRT said the youth got hit in the face and was placed into handcuffs, despite her reported attempts to break away.

During the altercation, the daughter received a cut to her chin and a chipped tooth. The mother sustained broken ribs.

ASIRT Executive Director Michael Ewenson stated that, under section 25 of the Criminal Code of Canada, a police officer is justified in using as much force as is reasonably necessary where they have reasonable grounds to do so.

“After a thorough, independent and objective investigation into the conduct of the officers, it is my opinion that they were lawfully placed and acting properly in the execution of their duties,” said Ewenson. “There is no evidence to support any belief that they engaged in any unlawful or unreasonable conduct that would give rise to an offence.”

He adds that, while both of the complainants were injured in the altercation, the use of force by both officers was necessary and reasonable in all of the circumstances.

No sanctions were issued against the attending police officers.

The full report can be read on the Government of Alberta website.

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