After the arrest of a man in Prince Albert led to him being declared brain dead, his family and the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) are asking for transparency.
On April 1st, Boden Umpherville was tasered while in the driver’s seat of a vehicle in Prince Albert. Due to injuries sustained during the arrest, Umpherville has been declared brain dead.
Nine officers from the Prince Albert Police Force have been identified by the Provincial Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) for their involvement in the incident.
According to the SIRT report, a black Dodge Avenger was reported stolen by its owner. That vehicle was later located, and a member of the Prince Albert Police Service (PAPS) executed a traffic stop.
Three individuals, including the vehicle’s registered owner, occupied the vehicle. Other PAPS patrol units attended the traffic stop. During an altercation where police attempted to arrest Umpherville, the vehicle was put into motion, colliding with a marked PAPS vehicle. Several intermediate weapons were used by police, including conducted energy weapons (CEWs), collapsible batons, and Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray.
Once the 40-year-old man from Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation had been taken into custody, EMS attended the scene, and he was observed to be in medical distress. EMS provided care, and the man was transported to the hospital, where he remains in serious condition.
Immediately following the notification, a SIRT team consisting of the Civilian Executive Director and four SIRT Investigators was deployed to the scene in Prince Albert to begin their investigation. During SIRT’s investigation, a loaded handgun was recovered from the incident scene and secured as an exhibit.
“SIRT’s investigation will examine the conduct of police during this incident, including the circumstances surrounding the man’s arrest and the cause of his injury,” the report said. “PAPS will maintain the conduct of the investigation into the man and his actions.”
A final report will be issued to the public within 90 days of the investigation ending.
