Listen to this article
Estimated 2 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) is investigating the death of a woman following an arrest by Edmonton police last month.
On March 26, officers from the Edmonton Police Service responded to a call about a woman causing a disturbance at a restaurant in the Mill Woods area at around 6:30 p.m.
According to an ASIRT statement, witnesses reported the woman was yelling erratically and frightening customers.
When police arrived, the woman ran into another restaurant nearby and hid in a washroom, where officers located and arrested her.
Paramedics attended the scene, but the woman did not co-operate with efforts to assess her condition, the statement said.
About half an hour later, she was transported to the EPS detainee management unit, which is described as a specialized facility for processing and monitoring at-risk or vulnerable detainees.
During transport, the statement says she continued to behave erratically.
After arriving at the unit, staff found the woman unresponsive and called EMS. She was taken to hospital, where she died shortly after.
The Police Review Commission has directed ASIRT to investigate the incident as a Level 1 matter. Under the Police Act, this includes cases involving serious injury or death, or sensitive concerns about an officer’s actions.
ASIRT, part of the Police Review Commission, is an independent civilian-led agency that investigates serious incidents involving police across Alberta, including those resulting in serious injury or death, as well as potential criminal offences.
ASIRT investigators are seeking information from anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has relevant video.