'Unacceptable': Prince Albert Grand Council concerned about 2 recent police custody deaths
The Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) is raising concern about two police custody deaths that occurred within days earlier this month.
“If you have the power to detain people then you have the responsibility to ensure they are safe,” said PAGC Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte.
Both men were pronounced dead in hospital, but their deaths are being investigated as in police custody.
On Oct. 5, a 29-year-old man went into medical distress as the Prince Albert Police Service (PAPS) investigated a disturbance at the Victoria Hospital.
He was transferred to hospital in Saskatoon “due to the seriousness of the medical distress,” police said in a news release, and was pronounced dead on Oct. 12.
Then, on Oct. 8, police arrested a 35-year-old man.
He was remanded into custody and was found unresponsive in his police cell on Oct. 11. He was transported to hospital and later pronounced dead.
Hardlotte called for “transparency and accountability” during the external investigations.
In an emailed statement, PAPS said the RCMP is investigating one death and the police service is investigating the other, overseen by an independent observer.
Hardlotte said both men were Indigenous and family members have reached out to him voicing the need for change.
He, along with vice-chiefs Joseph Tsannie and Christopher Jobb, said the police service must implement recommendations from past inquests, hire more Indigenous officers and provide cultural awareness training.
Hardlotte said this would give police a better understanding of the challenges Indigenous people face, such as addictions, that stem from historical trauma.
“PAPS should not be in the business of locking up individuals who have underlying medical conditions if they are not professionally equipped to do so,” Hardlotte said.
“Anything short of having proper medical staff and equipment to make sure prisoners are safe is unacceptable.”
In the statement, PAPS pointed to a partnership with the Saskatchewan Health Authority and Parkland Ambulance. A paramedic is on site in the police detention area every night from 7:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.
PAPS said it also supports the Police and Crisis Team, consisting of mental health professionals and police officers. The unit connects people with local support agencies.
“The police service continues to be accountable and transparent, and has improved oversight and supervision in our detention area, enhanced training for staff, and implemented programs aimed at better supporting vulnerable members of our community,” reads the statement.
“The police service remains open to continued discussions and opportunities for enhanced engagement on policies and issues affecting vulnerable residents in our community.”
Coroner inquests are mandatory in Saskatchewan when deaths occur in custody, except for when the person died of natural causes and it was not preventable.
Hardlotte said the PAGC will be reviewing recommendations made during past inquests, as it could take years before inquests potentially take place for these two deaths.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.