By rdnewsNOW Staff

Maskwacis

ASIRT to investigate use of force during arrest

Apr 1, 2022 | 4:46 PM

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has been called in to investigate the circumstances surrounding the actions of police during a use of force arrest at Maskwacis last week.

On March 26, Maskwacis RCMP received a complaint of two individuals discharging a firearm in the Samson town site. Mounties say officers were able to quickly locate and arrest two individuals and seize a loaded sawed off shotgun as well as a loaded sawed off .22 rifle.

As a result of the investigation, RCMP have charged both Kyle Dean Lightning, 28, of Maskwacis and Barry Junior Saddleback, 18, of Maskwacis, with five firearms offences and resisting arrest. Police say both individuals have been released with court set for April 14, 2022 at the Wetaskiwin provincial court house.

During the arrest, RCMP say one suspect sustained injuries for which he was treated by EMS and released. As a result of a regular internal review into the arrest, RCMP have advised the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) who will be initiating an investigation.

The duty status of the officer involved is under review.

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Mounties say the Alberta RCMP believes in processes that seek the facts and it’s important that processes taken to assess the actions of all those involved, including the police, are fair, transparent, and defendable.

“This is why, as soon as we became aware of this incident, we immediately notified the Director of Law Enforcement and initiated our internal review process. ASIRT has been directed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the actions of the police during this investigation,” reads a statement from RCMP.

Independent of ASIRT’s investigation, officials say the Alberta RCMP’s internal review process has been implemented to gather a full account of what took place during the incident. RCMP training, policy, police response, and the duty status of the members involved will be subject to review.

“The Alberta RCMP is, of course, fully cooperating with ASIRT and will not be commenting further on this incident,” the statement concludes.