An investigation has deemed an RCMP officer did not use excessive force when a Hobbema woman sustained a broken arm while in police custody earlier this year.
The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team was assigned to investigate the March 2, 2013 incident when an intoxicated Hobbema woman sustained a broken arm while in custody at the Hobbema RCMP detachment.
Clifton Purvis, executive director of the serious incident response team, was satisfied that the subject officer was justified in applying force in this incident and that the force used was not excessive, a news release late Friday afternoon reported.
The serious incident response team assigned seven investigators to look into the case and also examined the video from the RCMP cell block which captured the entire event. Investigators interviewed six police officer witnesses, three civilian witnesses, the woman who sustained a broken arm, and the subject officer.
On March 2, 2013, RCMP officers responded to a call for service at a home on the Samson First Nations Reserve.
A female was arrested and taken back to the RCMP Hobbema Detachment. While in custody, the female sustained a fracture to her right arm. She was transported to hospital and received medical treatment.
The investigation determined that the female was lawfully arrested and detained at the RCMP Hobbema Detachment.
The female was intoxicated at the time of the incident and while being physically restrained, force was applied in an attempt to control her. As a result, she sustained the injury to her right arm, the news release said.
The completed investigative report was provided to Purvis. He reviewed the entire investigative report and forwarded it to Crown Counsel for review and opinion.
After having considered all of the evidence, including the opinion of Crown Counsel, Purvis was satisfied that the subject officer was justified in applying force in this incident and that the force used was not excessive.
Purvis has determined that no charges will stem from this matter.