The level of force used in an arrest in May of this year by Battlefords RCMP is at the centre of two investigations into the incident.
Prince Albert Police Service will be in charge of an external investigation into the circumstances of the incident and Saskatchewan RCMP will conduct a Code of Conduct investigation into allegations of excessive use of force.
According to RCMP, on May 14, a 40-year-old male was arrested by a Battlefords RCMP constable following the report of a male causing a disturbance in public.
To assist with the arrest, a second Battleford RCMP constable attended the location of the disturbance. While the male was handcuffed and lying on the ground, a physical altercation occurred between the second constable and the 40-year-old male.
Internal and external complaints were made concerning the level of force used by the second constable during the altercation.
Battlefords RCMP reviewed the incident and, based on their findings, ordered, on Aug. 16, that a statutory investigation as well as an RCMP Code of Conduct investigation be conducted.
The RCMP Act, section 45.79(1)(b), dictates that an incident in which the actions of a member may have constituted an offence under federal or provincial law shall be investigated by an external police force.
Therefore, Saskatchewan RCMP asked the Prince Albert Police Service to investigate the circumstances of this incident. PAPS will be investigating allegations of assault.
Saskatchewan RCMP will conduct the RCMP Code of Conduct investigation. They will be investigating allegations of excessive use of force.
Until the conclusions of these two investigations can be reached, the constable has been suspended from duty with pay.
The 40-year-old male did not report any injuries as a result of this incident.
