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UPDATED: ASIRT investigating incident involving Lethbridge Police officer running over injured deer

Jan 8, 2019 | 2:19 PM

LETHBRIDGE UPDATE: Lethbridge News Now has spoken with Alberta Fish and Wildlife Lethbridge District Officer Corey Craig. He says they are aware of the incident and much like other officer-involved incidents that are investigated by ASIRT, this will also follow the same path. Craig says if ASIRT requests the help of Fish and Wildlife, they will assist in the investigation. He addes that they trust the matter will be fully investigated. 

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team is investigating an incident involving the actions of a Lethbridge Police officer who used his service vehicle to kill an injured deer, by driving over it multiple times while it was still alive. 

LPS was contacted by Global News late in the day on Jan. 7 after a citizen submitted a video that shows an on-duty officer using a police truck to drive over an injured deer along the 1600 block of Scenic Drive South.

After reviewing the video, Chief Rob Davis notified the Director of Law Enforcement and an independent ASIRT investigation was subsequently directed. 

“After watching the video, I understand the concerns people have and I can assure the community we take this incident very seriously,” Davis continued. “Transparency is paramount to the public’s trust and confidence in the police service and I welcome this independent investigation.”

The ASIRT investigation will review the officer’s actions, as well as LPS policy and procedures for responding to injured animal calls.

The officer involved will remain assigned to regular duties while the investigation is completed.

ASIRT has jurisdiction over all sworn police officers in Alberta. 

Their mandate is to investigate incidents or complaints involving serious injury or the death of any person, and matters of a serious or sensitive nature, that may have resulted from the actions of a police officer.