Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team Investigating Death in Turtleford Royal Canadian Mounted Police Custody

CANADA, August 7 - Released on August 7, 2026

On Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at approximately 4:05 p.m., the Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) received a notification from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) regarding an in-custody death at the Turtleford RCMP Detachment. SIRT's Civilian Executive Director accepted the notification as within SIRT's mandate and directed an investigation by SIRT.

On July 29, at approximately 12:20 p.m., members of the Turtleford RCMP arrived at a residence on the Thunderchild First Nation to arrest a 37-year-old male, who was wanted in relation to several break and enter offences. The man was believed to be inside the residence, but another occupant of the residence denied that he was present. The other occupant declined to permit the RCMP to enter the residence, so the RCMP sought a judicial authorization to enter the residence for the purpose of the arrest.

The authorization was granted, and at approximately 1:00 p.m., RCMP entered the residence and located the 37-year-old male hiding inside. At approximately 1:03 p.m., the man was arrested without incident and was subsequently removed from the residence and placed inside an RCMP vehicle. The RCMP vehicle departed the scene at approximately 1:19 p.m. and transported the man to the Turtleford RCMP Detachment, arriving at approximately 1:28 p.m. The man was searched and booked into custody. He was placed inside of a cell at approximately 1:36 p.m.

While the man was inside the cell, RCMP members present inside the detachment were notified by guard staff that he appeared to be in medical distress, and at approximately 2:59 p.m., RCMP members entered the cell and immediately administered naloxone. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) was contacted and RCMP members provided first aid to the man. At approximately 3:21 p.m., local medical staff arrived at the detachment and assisted with the man's care until EMS arrived at approximately 3:28 p.m. EMS assumed responsibility for the man's care and attempted to resuscitate him until approximately 4:01 p.m., when he was pronounced deceased. 

Following the notification, a SIRT team consisting of two SIRT investigators was deployed to Turtleford to begin their investigation. A community liaison will also be appointed pursuant to S.91.12(1)(a) of The Police Act, 1990. SIRT's investigation will examine the conduct of police during this incident, including the circumstances surrounding the man's death. The RCMP will maintain responsibility for the investigation into the offences which brought the man into custody. No further information will be released at this time. A final report will be issued to the public within 90 days of the investigation ending.

SIRT's mandate is to investigate alleged cases of serious injury, death, sexual assault or interpersonal violence arising from the actions or omissions of on and off-duty police officers, or while an individual is in police custody.

For updates on SIRT investigations, follow SIRT on X.

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