The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has cleared two Lethbridge police officers of any wrongdoing following the March 2025 arrest of a man who died a week later. The report, released Wednesday, concluded that the officers used reasonable force and that the man's death was unrelated to their actions.
Incident Details
Shortly before midnight on March 23, 2025, officers responded to a call about an unwanted guest at a residence on Scenic Drive. The resident had been seeking a roommate, and the man had responded to the advertisement. When officers attempted to remove him, he resisted, leading to a struggle.
At 12:03 a.m. on March 24, the two officers requested backup but successfully removed the man—who was described as “naked or mostly naked”—from the home and placed him in a police vehicle before additional officers arrived. However, the man soon appeared to be in medical distress, prompting officers to remove him from the vehicle and begin first aid.
Medical Response and Death
EMS arrived and transported the man to hospital in life-threatening condition. He died on April 2, 2025. An autopsy determined the cause of death to be the toxic effects of methamphetamine.
The ASIRT report stated, “The autopsy showed no connection between the (man’s) death and the subject officers’ actions.” The report also found no reasonable grounds to believe the officers had committed an offence, noting they did not use excessive force during the removal.
ASIRT Findings
ASIRT, Alberta's police watchdog, investigates incidents involving serious injury or death during police interactions. In this case, the investigation focused on whether the officers' use of force was reasonable. The report concluded that the force used was proportionate and necessary given the man's resistance.
The officers involved have been cleared of any criminal or disciplinary consequences. The incident highlights the challenges police face when dealing with individuals under the influence of drugs, though ASIRT found no fault in the officers' actions.
