No charges laid from ASIRT investigation into St. Paul RCMP 2022 detainee death

Drugs played a factor in the affected person’s death, autopsy says. 

ASIRT has said there is no reasonable evidence to say officers acted wrongly or committed an offence in a January 2022 situation where an individual died while in St. Paul RCMP custody. 

On Jan. 10, 2022, police had picked up an individual for “trying door handles” at around 5:40AM that had been wanted for outstanding warrants. 

Roughly 15 hours later while in a cell, the individual was found unresponsive in their cell. EMS was called and CPR was performed, but the individual passed away. 

The ASIRT report, released to the public on Thursday, provides more details on the day, including an autopsy report that says the immediate cause of death was due to carfentanil, fentanyl, and meth toxicity. 

After being taken to a holding cell, the suspect was given the opportunity to speak to legal counsel at 6:59AM. 

“Thereafter, AP [Affected Person] remained in this cell monitored by civilian jail guards,” the report says. 

“None of the guards noticed anything unusual with his behavior that would have caused concern. AP was seen to be pacing, sitting or laying on a mat for a majority of the day.” 

Video surveillance

After being fed at 6:00PM, video surveillance shows the AP grabbing items from his pocket. 

“He held a small light coloured item in his hands while doing something with it using both hands. AP pulled his hoody over his head, leaving it covering his arms, and laid down on the mat,” the report says. 

“From 6:09 until 6:29 p.m., AP laid on his stomach and leaned his head off the mat to the right while doing something on the ground in the area where the drug paraphernalia was later found. Due to the angle and quality of the video, ASIRT Investigators were unable to further clarify his actions during this time. At approximately 7:00 p.m., AP moved for the last time, as seen on the cell video.”

Police officers owe a duty of care to detainees under their watch, which can result in criminal liability if an individual suffers medical distress. 

“In this case, there is no evidence that this duty was breached…As previously noted, a Fatality Inquiry may very well be ordered, but that is for the appropriate agency to decide.”