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Following a third in-custody death in less than a month, the Prince Albert Grand Council and the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations are calling for an intervention of the Prince Albert Police Service.
The two organizations are also asking for a review of the Saskatchewan Health Authority.
The latest in-custody death of a 33-year-old man occurred Sunday. The other two happened within days of each other in mid-October.
“These in-custody deaths have raised serious concerns regarding the competence of the Prince Albert Police Service and their ability to serve the broader community in general,” said FSIN Vice-Chief Dutch Lerat.
“Equally concerning is the lack of transparency and public accountability. The police service is not being open about these incidents and the victims’ families and communities deserve answers.”
The incidents are under investigation by the Saskatchewan Coroners Service with help from other police services and independent observers from the Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety to provide oversight.
In a media release issued earlier this week, the Prince Albert police acknowledged the investigative process that follows each in-custody death can be lengthy — often taking months or even years.
While the identities of the deceased and the circumstances surrounding their deaths have not been released, the FSIN and PAGC want answers from the SHA as well about its responsibility to ensure oversight is provided “to those in police custody suffering from drug and alcohol addictions or other underlying medical conditions.”
PAGC Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte said recommendations from past public inquests have not been taken seriously by the PAPS or the SHA.
“We will not wait two years or more for more recommendations from yet another public inquiry. As we can see, time is not on our side — drastic changes need to happen now,” Hardlotte said.
In a statement sent to paNOW, Chair of the Prince Albert Police Board Sheryl Kimbley said the board supports the request for an independent investigation and is committed to transparency and accountability.
“We believe that the investigation will be complete and thorough,” Kimbley said.
The SHA and Minister Christine Tell had not returned a request for comment by the time this story was published.