On Nov. 15, just prior to midnight, a Red Deer RCMP member attempted a traffic stop with a vehicle which had a stolen license plate on it. The male driver exited the vehicle and fled on foot.
RCMP Police Dog Services was utilized to conduct a track and the male was eventually located hiding under a recreational vehicle. The male allegedly refused to obey police commands, and the police dog was deployed. An altercation with the male followed and he received bites from the dog. The altercation continued between the male and responding RCMP members. As a result, the male received injuries during his arrest, and was transported to a hospital, where he remains.
The RCMP notified the Director of Law Enforcement about this incident. The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has been directed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the actions of the police. The RCMP believes in processes that seek the facts. It's important that processes taken to assess the actions of all those involved, including the police, are fair, transparent, and defendable.
An investigation into the incident leading up to the arrest, and the actions of the male, remain ongoing by the RCMP.
The RCMP will fully cooperate with ASIRT and will not be commenting further on this incident. All media inquiries about this incident should now be directed to ASIRT at 780-641-9099.