SIRT has launched an investigation into the death of a 49-year-old man in custody at the Carlyle RCMP Detachment.

The man was arrested early December 13 after an assault on the Whitebear First Nation and placed in a cell at 1:30 a.m. At 9:08 a.m., officers found him in medical distress and attempted CPR until EMS arrived, but the man was pronounced dead shortly after.

SIRT is examining the actions of police and the circumstances leading to the man’s death, with a public report expected after the investigation ends.