ASIRT clears Valleyview RCMP officer in 2023 high-speed chase incident

Alberta's Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has closed its investigation into a Valleyview RCMP officer's actions during an October 29, 2023 traffic stop, concluding that no charges will be laid.

The incident began when a driver reported that another vehicle traveling between Grande Prairie and Valleyview had cut him off at high speed and that an occupant had thrown rocks at his windshield. RCMP located the described vehicle later that day, and when an officer tried to pull it over, the driver fled until the vehicle became disabled on a dirt road.

During the resulting high-risk stop, the officer drew his firearm and used pepper spray after the driver refused to exit the vehicle. ASIRT's report describes the officer warning the suspect not to grab his gun before a physical struggle followed, during which the officer appeared to strike the suspect and, according to the report, stomped near the suspect's head or neck. The suspect was later treated by EMS for facial lacerations and a possible broken nose but did not follow up with a CT scan.

A passenger in the vehicle told ASIRT investigators that the suspect took over driving after they encountered a semi swerving without taillights, and denied that rocks were thrown. She said she asked the suspect to drive despite knowing he lacked a full licence, which she said was why he fled from police, adding she had not noticed erratic driving because she was focused on her cat.