More details emerge around death of a woman in police custody in Swift Current - Action News
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Saskatchewan

More details emerge around death of a woman in police custody in Swift Current

Saskatchewan's Serious Incident Response Team, the province's police watchdog agency, hasreleasedmore details about the death of a woman in police custody in Swift Current this past weekend.

Woman became unresponsive while being taken to Swift Current hospital Sunday, was pronounced dead there

Police vehicle parked
Saskatchewan's Serious Incident Response Team is investigating the circumstances in the death of a woman who was in RCMP custody in Swift Current on Sunday. (CBC)

Saskatchewan's police watchdog hasreleasedmore details about the death of a woman in police custody in Swift Current this past weekend.

The woman was taken into custody by RCMP in Swift Current and went into medical distresswhile being transported to hospital, where she was pronounced dead, police previously said.

TheSaskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team which is mandated to investigatecases where serious injury ordeath is alleged in connection with the actions of police, or while a person is in police custody began an investigation.

In a Wednesday news release, SIRT saidRCMPwere called by a family member of the 55-year-oldwoman just after 11 a.m. Sunday, asking for a wellness check on her.

The woman was found at a local hotel, whereRCMP say she refused help from officers and paramedics, according to SIRT's news release.

RCMP took her into custody without incident under the Mental Health Services Act, and she was thenput into a waitingambulance.

En route to Cypress Regional Hospital, shewent into medical distress and became unresponsive, SIRT's release said. Shewas admitted to hospital butwas pronounced dead just before 12:30 p.m.

SIRT was notified by RCMPof her death that afternoon, and is now investigating the police conduct during the incident, including the circumstances of the woman's apprehension and detention.

A final report will be issued by SIRTtothe public within 90 days of the investigation ending.

No further information will be released at this time, the police watchdog agency said.