More details emerge around death of a woman in police custody in Swift Current
Saskatchewan's police watchdog has released more details about the death of a woman in police custody in Swift Current this past weekend.
The woman was taken into custody by RCMP in Swift Current and went into medical distress while being transported to hospital, where she was pronounced dead, police previously said.
The Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team — which is mandated to investigate cases where serious injury or death is alleged in connection with the actions of police, or while a person is in police custody — began an investigation.
In a Wednesday news release, SIRT said RCMP were called by a family member of the 55-year-old woman just after 11 a.m. Sunday, asking for a wellness check on her.
The woman was found at a local hotel, where RCMP say she refused help from officers and paramedics, according to SIRT's news release.
RCMP took her into custody without incident under the Mental Health Services Act, and she was then put into a waiting ambulance.
En route to Cypress Regional Hospital, she went into medical distress and became unresponsive, SIRT's release said. She was admitted to hospital but was pronounced dead just before 12:30 p.m.
SIRT was notified by RCMP of her death that afternoon, and is now investigating the police conduct during the incident, including the circumstances of the woman's apprehension and detention.
A final report will be issued by SIRT to the public within 90 days of the investigation ending.
No further information will be released at this time, the police watchdog agency said.