Update: July 28, 5 p.m.
RCMP confirmed on Tuesday that they asked the Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) to investigate the incident, and SIRT accepted the request.
The officers will remain on duty during the investigation.
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Acknowledging the public will form opinions based on what they have seen in a video posted to social media, Chief and Council at Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation are also reminding people it’s important to hear all of the facts before drawing conclusions.
The statement follows a pair of videos shared on social media over the weekend that show an altercation between a woman and two members of the RCMP. The video was recorded by the woman’s daughter.
“Look at how they’re touching my mom,” the daughter screams in the video. “Leave her alone.”
Members of the RCMP can be heard telling the daughter to get back. And then one of the officers talks to the woman on the ground getting arrested.
“When I say get the [expletive] back from me you get back…you hear me? [expletive] acceptable.”
When the woman on the ground informs the officers she plans to sue, one of the officers responds by saying “sure.”
According to information from the RCMP, on July 27, at approximately 5a.m., officers responded to the report of a drug-impaired person on a street of Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation.
While responding, police officers observed a man wanted on warrant entering a residence. Police officers approached the residence and spoke with the house occupants at the door. Two wanted men were arrested at the door without incident.
During the arrest, a 40-year-old woman became confrontational and punched two police officers. Police officers told her to stop moving but she left the entrance area of the residence and went down the stairs. She was arrested outside the residence.
The three arrested individuals were transported to the detachment, where the 40-year-old woman was seen by EMS for what was described as minor injuries.
RCMP confirmed receipt of several requests related to the online videos.
“When police officers are required to intervene in a given situation, it is, by nature, a complex, dynamic and constantly evolving situation, often in a highly charged atmosphere. We recognize that any enforcement action can generate strong reactions and we take those concerns seriously.”
RCMP stated Section 25 of the Criminal Code provides police officers with the ability to use force in the lawful execution of their duties, as long as they are acting on reasonable grounds.
“Following an initial review of this incident at the Saskatchewan RCMP District level, which included the viewing of the RCMP body-worn camera footage, the force used by the police officers involved in this incident was determined to be reasonable.”
RCMP also advised body-worn camera footage is evidence and will be presented as part of court proceedings.
According to Monday’s statement from Chief and Council, the work by RCMP resulted in the removal of two individuals from the residence and from the community, who were believed to be involved in gang activity.
Chief and Council also indicated plans to meet with Sgt. Keewatin of the Loon Lake RCMP Detachment to discuss the incident, gather the facts, and address the concerns that have been raised.
Rob Louie, Founder and member of the Band Members Alliance and Advocacy Association of Canada, stated that after the videos, he has concerns.
“Nowhere do I see the victim resisting arrest,” he said.
In the second video, the officers can be heard telling someone they’re goin to get tazed. This in turn follows by the sound of arcing – a term used to describe the sound of a Conductive Energy Weapon when it’s being used as a warning device.
Louie was contacted by the woman’s mother who requested the association step in and help. Louie has since reached out to a lawyer in Vancouver, who stated their opinion the use of force was excessive.
“And now we’re going to discuss next steps for the victim and her family”
Louie confirmed the Vancouver law firm is the same one that spearheaded a lawsuit against the RCMP for the abuse of indigenous people during times of arrest and detention.
The accused
Lane Anthony Purves, 30, from Edmonton, AB, was wanted on warrant from Swift Current RCMP for charges including theft, was arrested.
Rayden Joe Kytwayhat, 28, from Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation, SK, was wanted on warrant from Loon Lake RCMP for charges including domestic assaults.
Rose Georgina Angus, 40, from Makwa Sahgiahecan First Nation, SK, has been charged with:
Angus is scheduled to appear in Meadow Lake Provincial Court on July 28.
nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com
