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Organization: Alberta Serious Incident Response Team | ASIRT

A police car roof with red and blue flashing lights against a blurred cityscape; the word “ASIRT” is boldly overlaid on the image.

ASIRT investigating injury to patient at High River hospital

Written on . Posted in RCMP & Public Safety.

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team is investigating a case involving a patient at High River General Hospital who was injured after barricading himself in a room.

Shortly before 2:45 a.m. March 21, Alberta Health Services protective services officers, who are peace officers, responded to a request for help with an aggressive patient. During the response, the patient was injured and required medical treatment. ASIRT announced its investigation Oct. 6, more than six months later.

ASIRT is part of the Police Review Commission, an independent civilian-led agency. The commission has directed ASIRT to investigate the case as a Level 1 matter. Level 1 matters are cases involving serious injury or death, or serious or sensitive allegations about an officer’s actions. Under changes to the Peace Officer Act that took effect in December 2025, ASIRT’s jurisdiction now extends to peace officers for Level 1 matters.

ASIRT says the investigation is ongoing and no further information is available.

ASIRT investigates potential criminal offences involving law enforcement officers across Alberta, including cases where an officer’s actions may have resulted in serious injury or death.

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A police car roof with red and blue flashing lights against a blurred cityscape; the word “ASIRT” is boldly overlaid on the image.

ASIRT investigating death after Lethbridge police interaction

Written on . Posted in RCMP & Public Safety.

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team is investigating the death of a man following an interaction with a Lethbridge Police Service officer at the Lethbridge Viaduct, commonly known as the High Level Bridge.

Lethbridge police received several 911 calls about 7:30 p.m. July 13 reporting a man walking west on the bridge, a railway trestle that is not open to pedestrians.

One of three responding officers went onto the bridge and approached the man near the middle. ASIRT says the officer spoke with the man and directed him to leave, but he remained, and the two continued to speak. About 8 p.m., following an interaction between them, the man went over the side of the bridge. Paramedics declared him dead at the scene.

ASIRT says its investigation will examine the officer’s actions and the circumstances surrounding the death, including what happened immediately before the man went over the side.

The Police Review Commission directed ASIRT to investigate the case as a Level 1 matter. Under the Police Act, that category covers cases involving serious injury or death, or serious or sensitive concerns about an officer’s actions.

ASIRT is part of the Police Review Commission, an independent civilian-led agency that investigates potential criminal offences involving police across Alberta, including cases where an officer’s actions may have resulted in serious injury or death.

The investigation is ongoing and ASIRT says no further information is available.

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Police Act, Police Oversight