Alberta's law enforcement watchdog has launched an investigation into the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) for potentially interfering with an active criminal case. The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) announced Thursday that it is probing EPS over a letter sent to an Alberta Crown Prosecution Service official on Sept. 8, 2025, concerning the case of Ashley Rattlesnake, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the 2023 death of eight-year-old Nina Napope Dumais.
Letter Objected to Manslaughter Plea
The letter, signed by then-interim co-chief Warren Driechel and authored by top EPS lawyer Megan Hankewich, objected to the manslaughter plea and indicated that EPS would release information from its investigation to influence public opinion if the Crown did not reconsider. After sentencing Rattlesnake to eight years in prison, Court of King’s Bench Justice Jody Fraser stated that EPS’s move may have constituted obstruction of justice.
Complaints Led to Investigation
ASIRT said the investigation was initiated after complaints about EPS’s conduct were sent to Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis. The decision to pursue the investigation was left to the newly created Police Review Commission (PRC), an umbrella organization that includes ASIRT. The then-acting CEO of the PRC initiated a complaint under Section 42.1 of the Police Act, categorized the matter as a Level 1 complaint, and directed ASIRT to investigate. Level 1 matters include incidents involving serious injury or death, as well as serious or sensitive allegations involving police conduct.
Matthew Block, ASIRT’s acting executive director, stated, “Our responsibility is to follow the evidence, assess the matter within our mandate and provide the public with confidence that the process is independent.” He emphasized that opening an investigation does not equate with a finding of misconduct. ASIRT declined to comment further, and more details are expected to follow.
