Head of RCMP watchdog orders investigation into arrest of Alta. teen with autism
The arrest of a teen with autism at a St. Albert playground will be investigated by the agency that looks into complaints involving Mounties.
The Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for RCMP (CRCC) is to determine if the mostly non-verbal 16-year-old was properly supervised and accommodated, as required under the Canadian Human Rights Act, during the Oct. 2 incident.
That evening, while Ryley Bauman was playing alone on the playground behind his grandparents' house, "several" calls were made to RCMP about a male who was described as suspicious, erratic and "possibly impaired by drugs."
Unable to learn his name, officers took Ryley into custody within minutes of arriving at the playground of Albert Lacombe Catholic Elementary School.
Police say the teen began to hurt himself while in custody and Mounties called EMS to provide first aid and take him to hospital.
He was reconnected with his parents after they filed a missing persons report.
According to them, Ryley suffered soft tissue damage to his wrists and head and said "police hurts" after the event.
CRCC chairperson Michelaine Lahaie issued the complaint, which prompted the CRCC investigation, noting it is in "the public interest."
In examining the St. Albert Mounties' response, the investigation will determine whether:
- Ryley was properly supervised and accommodated;
- reasonable action was taken to prevent Ryley from harming himself;
- St. Albert RCMP members are trained to recognize and interact with neurodiverse people; and
- the RCMP organization has national and divisional policies, procedures and guidelines on interacting with people with neurodiversity.
The CRCC is an agency of the federal government and independent from the RCMP.
Ryley's arrest is also being investigated by the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team, which investigates serious allegations of police misconduct and allegations of police-caused harm or death.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Second Cup closes Montreal franchise over hateful incident
Second Cup Café has closed one of its franchise locations in Montreal following allegations of hateful remarks and gestures made by the franchisee in a video that was widely circulated online during a pro-Palestinian protest on Thursday.
‘It’s pretty emotional:’ N.B. family escape fire, plan to rebuild home
A family in Riverview, N.B., is making plans for Christmas and the future after escaping a fire in their home on November, 14.
Cargo ship runs aground in St. Lawrence River near Morrisburg, Ont.
A large cargo ship remains stuck in the St. Lawrence River after running aground on Saturday afternoon.
Scurvy resurgence highlights issues of food insecurity in Canada's rural and remote areas
A disease often thought to only affect 18th century sailors is reemerging in Canada.
B.C. man awarded $800K in damages after being injured by defective bear banger
A B.C. man has been awarded nearly $800,000 in damages as compensation for injuries he sustained from a defective bear banger, according to a recent court decision.
A man called 911 for help during a home invasion. Las Vegas police fatally shot him
A Las Vegas man called for police help during a home invasion before an officer fatally shot him, according to authorities and 911 calls.
Cat caught in hunting snare rescued by BC SPCA
Donations are ramping up for a BC SPCA cat with a mangled paw after being caught in a hunting snare, one of a rising number of pets to fall prey to the hunting device.
These royal residences are opening their doors this Christmas
Not so long ago, if you wanted to spend Christmas with the royal family, the only way to get close was to press your nose up to the TV screen during the monarch’s Christmas speech.
'Still working full time on it:' One year later police continue to search for gunman in Caledon double murder linked to ex-Olympian
One year after a couple was shot and killed in their Caledon home in what investigators have described as a case of mistaken identity, Ontario Provincial Police say they are still trying to figure out who pulled the trigger.