The Independent Investigation Unit (IIU) has concluded its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the arrest of a 26-year-old male that resulted in him sustaining a collapsed lung.
On November 13, 2020, the RCMP advised the IIU of an incident that occurred on November 12 at approximately11:30 p.m. According to the notification, members responded to a call for service regarding a domestic dispute. A male suspect was located on the scene. When members attempted to place him in custody, he became uncooperative and conducted energy weapon (CEW) was deployed. Thompson Fire and Emergency Services attended to assess him and he was transported to the Thompson General Hospital (TGH). He was later cleared and released back into police custody. On November 13, he was brought to the TGH for further assessment. At that time, a collapsed lung was discovered and he was admitted to hospital.
As an internal injury that requires admission to a hospital on an in-patient basis is defined as a serious injury under the IIU regulations, the IIU was mandated to investigate.
Three RCMP members were designated as subject officers, and IIU investigators interviewed the affected person, five witness officers and two civilian witnesses. Investigators also reviewed:
- the RCMP Occurrence Summary;
- RCMP Officers’ general reports, supplementary reports and notes;
- photographs of AP’s injuries;
- RCMP in-car and cell video footage;
- an audio recording of the 911 call to RCMP;
- consent for release of medical reports;
- Thompson Fire & Emergency Services (TFES) paramedic reports;
- the affected person’s medical reports; and
- an expert medical opinion report.
Following a detailed review of this comprehensive investigation, the civilian director concluded there were no grounds to justify any charges against any of the subject officers.
