An Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) investigation has determined there was no criminal wrongdoing on behalf of two RCMP officers stemming from a fatal 2022 incident at the Sundre Hospital.

On September 23, 2022, ASIRT was tasked with investigating the death of a 72-year-old man (AP) following an altercation with the two officers at Sundre Hospital. The ASIRT report indicates AP had been admitted for a mental health assessment, exhibiting paranoia and delusional behavior, but had no prior mental health history. His behavior worsened, leading to a struggle with hospital staff and security.

According to the report, AP’s wife (CW1) described his physical and mental decline over the preceding days, including dizziness and erratic behavior. On the morning of September 23, AP became delusional, believing that the RCMP were out to harm him. He was brought to the hospital by friends but became increasingly agitated, requiring the intervention of Alberta Health Services (AHS) peace officer (SO2) to restrain him. AP, a large man at 6’3″ and 210 pounds, forced his way past SO2, exited the hospital, and refused to return despite efforts to convince him otherwise.

CW1 had left the hospital to tend to her own needs. In her absence, AP believed his wife had been abducted. Due to this belief, he physically forced his way past SO2 and exited the hospital.

RCMP officer (SO1) arrived to assist and both officers attempted to restrain AP in the parking lot. After a brief verbal exchange, AP resisted by kicking and grabbing at SO1’s duty belt, which holds a number of force weapons. SO1 delivered two to three knee strikes and deployed oleoresin capsicum spray (OC spray) to subdue him. The officers eventually managed to roll AP onto his stomach and handcuff him. During the struggle, AP sustained a dislocated elbow and shortly after was found to have no pulse by hospital staff who attended the scene.

Despite aggressive resuscitation efforts, AP was pronounced dead about 45 minutes later. An autopsy determined his cause of death as a combination of police restraint, renal failure due to infection, and cardiovascular disease. The medical examiner noted that the restraint—particularly the prone position—impeded AP’s ability to breathe, contributing to his death. The impact of the OC spray and the dislocated elbow was also considered as potential factors.

ASIRT’s investigation reviewed CCTV footage, witness interviews, and statements from medical personnel. It was concluded that the officers were acting within their duties to enforce a Mental Health Act apprehension order. The use of force, including the knee strikes and OC spray, was deemed necessary and proportionate to AP’s resistance.

ASIRT found no evidence to suggest that the officers’ actions were unlawful or unreasonable, though the tragic outcome may warrant further review through a Fatality Inquiry.