Image from RCMP officer's Watchguard video. (Photo supplied by the Alberta RCMP)

By Justin Goulet/LethbridgeNewsNOW

Internal review taking place for altercation between Blood Tribe man and RCMP member

Nov 29, 2021 | 10:56 AM

CARDSTON, AB – The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) will not investigate an incident involving a Blood Tribe man and member of the Cardston RCMP.

On Nov. 23, police arrested 27-year-old Dylan Riley Bird. An RCMP officer was on the Blood Reserve, looking for individuals who were wanted on outstanding warrants.

READ MORE: Blood Tribe man arrested after allegedly striking police officer with metal pipe

The officer spotted a known suspect and notified him that he was under arrest.

Reportedly, the suspect then struck the officer with a long, metal pipe. The officer tased the suspect twice, but the aid of a second officer was needed to bring the man into custody.

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Late Sunday, November 28, the Alberta RCMP released photos obtained from the officer’s vehicle Watchguard video, in an effort to offer additional information and contest surrounding this incident to the public.

A second image from the officer’s Watchguard video. (Photo supplied by Alberta RCMP)

The RCMP noted that the Director of Law Enforcement was informed of the incident and the matter was deemed out of scope and therefore, will not be investigated by ASIRT.

In a release, the RCMP said, “the use of a Conducted Energy Weapon in the interest of public safety is always a difficult decision that is not taken lightly and includes internal reporting requirements.”

“We are conducting an internal review process to gather a full account of what took place during this incident.”

The release continued, “the Alberta RCMP believes in processes that seek the facts and it’s important that processes taken to assess the actions of all those involved, including the police, are fair, transparent, and defendable.”

“RCMP training, policy, police response, and the member’s duty status will be subject to review.”

A video statement from the Cardston RCMP detachment can be viewed here.