“The Saskatchewan RCMP will examine the circumstances surrounding the death of the adult male due to his interactions involving police,” stated an RCMP news release.
Saskatchewan’s Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) has been called to look into the death of a Ponteix man who went into medical distress Wednesday.
At approximately 6:30 p.m. on July 31, Ponteix RCMP along with Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were called to help “with an individual requiring medical assistance” at a residence in the southwest Saskatchewan town.
“An RCMP officer responded immediately and located an adult male who required medical care. He was taken into custody under the Mental Health Services Act for the officer to provide first aid,” stated an RCMP news release issued Friday. “The adult male went into medical distress and officers removed the male from police custody to provide further medical assistance.”
Police said EMS took over medical care of the man upon arrival, but he was later pronounced deceased at the scene. His family has been notified.
“The Saskatchewan RCMP will examine the circumstances surrounding the death of the adult male due to his interactions involving police,” the release noted.
The Saskatchewan Coroner’s Service will conduct an autopsy, and SIRT “is monitoring the notification.”
Investigations are set into motion when a person suffers a serious injury or death, either in police custody, as a result of an officer’s action, or in relation to an allegation of sexual assault or interpersonal violence.
SIRT investigations apply to municipal police officers, RCMP operating in Saskatchewan, and certain prescribed classes of special constables such as highway traffic patrol and conservation officers.
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