ASIRT Concludes Investigation into Cold Lake RCMP Shooting Near Ardmore

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has concluded its investigation into an officer-involved shooting by the Cold Lake RCMP near Ardmore that took place on January 22, 2021. This investigation was launched at the direction of the Director of Law Enforcement under section 46.1 of the Police Act.

Incident Summary

On the morning of January 22, 2021, a property owner near Ardmore discovered a stolen Ford F-350 truck parked in his equipment shelter. The truck was occupied by two individuals, with the driver later identified as Affected Person #1 (AP1) and a passenger, Affected Person #2 (AP2). The property owner, referred to as Civilian Witness #1 (CW1), contacted the police at 9:29 a.m.

Several RCMP officers, including the subject officer (SO) and multiple witness officers (WO1, WO2, WO3, WO4, WO5), responded to the call. The officers arrived in a convoy of marked and unmarked police vehicles at approximately 9:55 a.m. As WO1 pulled into the equipment shelter, AP1 attempted to flee by driving the stolen truck around WO1’s vehicle and accelerating quickly through bushes and into a ditch, where the vehicle became stuck. Both AP1 and AP2 were arrested without injury.

ASIRT’s Investigation

ASIRT’s investigation involved interviewing or reviewing interviews with several civilians, including the property owner and other witnesses to the arrest, although none witnessed the shooting directly. AP2, the passenger, refused to speak with ASIRT investigators. The SO and multiple RCMP officers were also interviewed.

The investigation revealed that AP1 had been smoking methamphetamine shortly before the police arrived and tried to evade arrest. During the incident, the SO perceived a threat to his life and the lives of other officers, believing AP1 was attempting to ram his vehicle. In response, the SO discharged his firearm, hitting the stolen truck.

Legal Analysis

Under Section 25 of the Criminal Code, police officers are permitted to use necessary force in the execution of their duties, especially when there is a perceived threat to their lives or the lives of others. The ASIRT investigation determined that the SO’s use of force was proportionate, necessary, and reasonable given the circumstances. The defense under Section 34 of the Criminal Code, which allows individuals to defend themselves or others if they believe on reasonable grounds that force is being used against them, also applies to police officers.

Conclusion

ASIRT concluded that the SO’s actions were justified, and there were no reasonable grounds to believe that an offense was committed. The detailed findings from ASIRT’s investigation highlight the importance of transparency and accountability in law enforcement operations.

For more information, the full report can be accessed on the Open Government portal of Alberta.

Additionally, related reports on officer-involved shootings in Cold Lake and Ardmore can be found on Lakeland Connect and Lakeland Connect.