(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By paNOW Staff

IN-CUSTODY DEATHS

PAGC disturbed by recent in-custody deaths; PAPS promises transparency in investigation

Oct 27, 2021 | 3:57 PM

The Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) said it is deeply disturbed by two recent in-custody deaths reported by the Prince Albert Police Service (PAPS).

Executive members of the PAGC spoke to the media Wednesday expressing their condolences to the families of the two men and calling for transparency and accountability from police.

“We need to move forward,” said Vice Chief Christopher Jobb. “How do we move forward? By working collectively and to be transparent and accountable because every life matters.”

On Oct. 5, police were called to Victoria Hospital for a report of a disturbance. The man at the centre of the disturbance went into medical distress and died in hospital on Oct.12.

Police said while the man was in police custody for a brief period, he remained at the hospital. However, police are treating this investigation as an in-custody death and an independent observer has been assigned by the province to oversee the investigation.

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Just one day before that death, on Oct. 11, another man was found unresponsive in his cell at the PAPS station just after 7:00 p.m. He was taken to hospital, where he later died.

While police have not released the identities of the two men, PAGC Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte said one of the families of the men, who was Indigenous, called him.

He hopes the police and PAGC can work together to prevent future deaths.

“We have to address it and come up with a better plan, to address this sad situation with people dying in police custody,” Hardlotte said.

Meanwhile, Prince Albert police said they continue to be accountable and transparent and have improved oversight and supervision in its detention area along with enhanced training for staff and programs aimed at supporting vulnerable members of the community.

It also includes 24/7 supervision of the detention area.

“The police service is also actively working in partnership with the Saskatchewan Health Authority and Parkland Ambulance Care on a new paramedic pilot program in which paramedics are on site in the PAPS detention area seven days a week from 7:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.,” Prince Albert police said in a statement. “This new program supports our organization in providing a more comprehensive approach to the supervision and safety of those in custody and allows for a more integrated approach to the health and well-being of all residents.”

The statement goes on to say that PAPS also supports the Police and Crisis Team (PACT), which connects vulnerable people with services and social supports in the community. They also participate in the HUB model, where representatives from various support agencies in the community are working together to address public safety concerns.

The PAGC said it hopes Prince Albert police is conducting its operations in a manner that displays care and compassion for the vulnerable in the community.

“It is our inherent and Treaty right to have a justice system that represents our interests and recognizes that our challenges are a result of historic traumas,” said Hardlotte. “It is also imperative that the police service goes above and beyond any recommendations to ensure the safety of those who are in their custody. We plan on closely following the processes in place to investigate these in-custody deaths, and we need assurances that a proper inquiry is done.”

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panews@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow