Watchdog clears Saskatoon police officer after service dog bites man

CTV News

7 hours ago

The Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) has cleared a Saskatoon police officer of any wrongdoing after a police service dog bit a 32-year-old man during an arrest in 2023.
According to the investigation report from Saskatchewan's civilian police watchdog, the incident occurred on September 21, 2023, when an officer attempted to stop a vehicle near Avenue R and 21st Street. The vehicle fled, crashed into a bench in a park and the suspect attempted to flee on foot.
A police service dog was sent to track the suspect who SIRT says was hiding in a nearby alley. During the arrest, the service dog bit the man's arm, causing serious nerve and muscle damage.
The man was then taken to hospital where he was treated.
After a lengthy investigation, SIRT concluded that the police service dog's actions were justified and that no police officer committed a Criminal Code offence.
The Criminal Code authorizes police to use as much force as necessary to enforce the law, even actions that are likely or intended to cause death or grievous bodily harm — provided it's not excessive or unreasonable in the circumstances, for example if there is no obvious or reasonable alternative.
Provided the act in good faith, police and their service dogs are given a fairly wide berth to make those snap judgments in the field — and using force to stop a suspect fleeing from arrest is explicitly referenced in the Criminal Code as a protected act .
Permitted to use given a fairly wide berth when it comes to interpreting.
According to SIRT, no charges will be laid in this matter.
During the investigation all relevant police and civilian witnesses were interviewed, a scene examination was conducted of the incident location, and all relevant video, audio, and documentary evidence was seized.
SIRT is an independent watchdog that investigates serious incident involving police including deaths or serious injuries in police custody, police related injuries and allegations of sexual assault or interpersonal violence by police officers.
-With files from Rory MacLean