The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team has concluded the use of force by an Okotoks RCMP officer was reasonable, when a 45-year-old woman sustained a fracture to her left arm in February 2016.

The officer initiated a traffic stop after receiving a complaint of a near collision and erratic driving of a Ford Focus.

The officer determined the driver was impaired and placed the suspect under arrest while on the roadway.

ASIRT says she resisted arrest, resulting in the officer using a "straight arm bar" technique, taking her to the ground and placing her in handcuffs.

The suspect was then transported to the Okotoks detachment for breathalyzer testing.

The handcuffs were removed as the suspect was seated for breath samples.

ASIRT says she then attempted to take back personal property that had been seized during her arrest, and when confronted, punched the arresting officer in the chest.

The officer responded by taking the suspect to the ground, again, with the assistance of a nearby Peace Officer.

The suspect's glasses were dislodged and she sustained a minor cut to the bridge of her nose.

After breath samples showed impairment well beyond the legal limit, the suspect was treated for the minor injury and detained overnight.

Upon her release the following day, the suspect sought additional medical treatment and was treated for a fracture in her left arm near the shoulder.

She has since plead guilty to impaired operation of a motor vehicle and resisting arrest.

ASIRT's investigation showed there was no reasonable grounds to believe the officer committed any offence, and no charges will be laid.

 

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