The man who died in police custody in Calgary was well cared for: ASIRT

An investigation into the death of a man in police custody in Calgary earlier this month has concluded that officers did not contribute to his death and that he was well cared for.

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has released a report on its investigation into the incident that occurred on October 18.

Police were called to a McDonald’s restaurant at 5222 130th Avenue SE Calgary for a report of a disturbance.

When officers arrived on the scene, they saw that the man was ‘behaving erratically’. After a brief struggle, the man was arrested while “refusing to obey commands,” the report said.

He was eventually handcuffed and taken into custody. Police investigated the man, but nothing disturbing was found. He was then assessed by paramedics and medically cleared.

ASIRT said the man had criminal arrest warrants issued, including one for drug possession.

He was then taken to the Calgary Police Service’s Arrest Processing Section (APS). After a second patrol, a small baggie was found filled with a green substance believed to be heroin or fentanyl, ASIRT said.

A strip search was then conducted and nothing further was found. ASIRT says the man told the paramedic on scene that he had been using methamphetamine and fentanyl for the past six hours.

The man was then taken to a cell around 8:30 am

As part of its investigation, ASIRT reviewed the APS logs and noted that security checks were conducted on the man at regular intervals, in accordance with policy.

ASIRT also reviewed the CCTV video of the cell where the man was located.

“At approximately 3:44 p.m., the man is sitting on the toilet and is noticed reaching between his legs, as if to grab something, and immediately moving his hand to his mouth. He then flushes the toilet and goes from the toilet to the couch,” ASIRT said.

At 4:33 p.m. the man appeared to have breathing problems and two minutes later he became unconscious.

Two officers entered the cell and began checking the man for an answer. The APS medic arrived, did a pulse check and left the cell to collect medical supplies. ASIRT said a CPS officer who was previously a paramedic began CPR.

The medic returned with their gear at 4:39 p.m. An automated external defibrillator was used and the man was given oxygen. EMS then arrived and began medical treatment, but pronounced the man dead at 5:31 p.m

An autopsy was performed on the man on October 21, with the investigator finding no apparent cause of death.

“The medical examiner is awaiting further toxicology and other information to determine the cause of death,” ASIRT said.

“While this may be true, there is no evidence that any officer caused or contributed to his death. Furthermore, all evidence supports that the man was appropriately cared for while in custody.”

ASIRT noted that no officials were designated as subjects and the investigation is now closed.