An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday on the body of a 49-year-old man that Edmonton Police Service [EPS] say succumbed to a medical episode while in their custody on Friday night.
Police say they responded to a complaint at an apartment building near 112 Avenue and 80 Street. Officers took a man into custody, whom police described at intoxicated, and transported him to a detention facility.
“Upon arrival at [the detention facility] the man suffered a medical event,” EPS said in a media release sent Saturday evening. Police say they contacted Emergency Medical Services, and an on-site paramedic as well as police officers begin administering first aid.
“EMS treated the man; however, he was pronounced deceased on scene.” police said.
Edmonton Police Service’s Director of Law Enforcement was notified of the situation and directed EPS to conduct the investigation of this matter, instead of contacting the Alberta Special Incident Response Team [ASIRT]. The arms-length independent police oversight organization investigates when police use of force causes injury or death. This would indicate that the police are confident their actions did not contribute to the death of their detainee.
