Saskatchewan’s Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) is investigating the death of a 29-year-old man who died in RCMP custody on Monday morning after being arrested on the James Smith Cree Nation.SIRT said it was notified by the RCMP at approximately 10:18 am CST on Monday. The civilian-led oversight agency confirmed the incident falls under its mandate and has launched an investigation into the conduct of the officers involved.According to the RCMP, the Melfort detachment received several calls around 7:55 am CST reporting that a man had discharged bear spray inside a home on the First Nation. Three RCMP officers and local community peacekeepers responded and located the man inside the residence.Police say they attempted to de-escalate the situation. When the man was told he was being taken into custody under the Mental Health Services Act, he fled through a back door. Officers pursued him on foot and arrested him without using force. A conducted energy weapon was drawn but never discharged, police said..Moments after being handcuffed, the man went into medical distress. RCMP officers and community peacekeepers began first aid and administered naloxone multiple times while waiting for paramedics.EMS arrived at 9:43 am CST and took over care, but the man was pronounced dead shortly afterward.SIRT deployed a team of investigators and its Civilian Executive Director to Melfort and the James Smith Cree Nation. A community liaison has been appointed under The Police Act, 1990.SIRT will examine the actions of police and the circumstances surrounding the death. The RCMP will continue investigating the original bear spray incident. A final report will be made public within 90 days of the investigation’s conclusion.
