By Canadian Press

No charges against Mounties in arrest of prominent Alberta chief

Dec 19, 2024 | 12:48 PM

FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. — Alberta’s police watchdog says there’s no evidence an offence was committed when Mounties used force to arrest a First Nation chief outside a Fort McMurray, Alta., casino in 2020.

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team also says there’s no evidence of racist treatment by officers against Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation Chief Allan Adam.

It says a confrontation began when an officer working alone was patrolling the parking lot of the Boomtown Casino and found an unregistered truck.

ASIRT says the officer was approached by Adam, who was agitated, swore and said he was tired of being harassed by RCMP.

The report says Adam later threw down his jacket, removed his ring and took a fighting stance — moves that made it clear he was preparing to get physical with the officer, who called for backup.

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Dashcam video at the time showed an officer tackling Adam to the ground, punching him in the head and putting him in a chokehold, and photos were released of the chief’s bruised and bloodied face.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on Dec. 19, 2024.

The Canadian Press