Sask. coroners inquest calls for improved search techniques, training following 2021 in-custody death
Warning: This story contains descriptions of suicide.
A Saskatchewan Coroners Service inquest has called for changes in the way police across the province conduct and catalogue searches following the 2021 in-custody death of Jeremy Sabourin.
Sabourin, 40, was transported to the Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) by Assiniboia RCMP on Oct. 6, 2021.
The following morning at around 9:25, Sabourin died due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
It was discovered that Sabourin had been in possession of a concealed handgun while in custody.
According to his obituary, Sabourin was a member of the Saskatchewan Handgun Association and served as a local safety officer for years.
The inquest, which ran from April 15-18 at Moose Jaw’s Heritage Inn Hotel, saw a six-person jury produce a long list of recommendations for both the RCMP and the MJPS to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Annual testing and qualifications for members on approved physical and wand search techniques was proposed – with the testing to be conducted by an external agency.
Mandatory annual mental health and suicide crisis training as well as a formalized policy compliance audit process was also put forward.
The jury recommended that a breach of policy involving the search of a prisoner be considered a “serious matter and engage disciplinary processes where appropriate.”
The findings also outlined that all new members of both services should become familiar and review all applicable policies on an annual basis as well as document completion.
To the RCMP, the jury called for a minimum of two wands to be made available at each detachment for searches.
Additionally, changes to the C13 form were called for, specifically for more space to be provided and to clearly indicate which fields are mandatory to be filled in before a prisoner is transferred to another agency.
Finally, the jury called for the RCMP to review its search procedure and the disadvantage position used by the RCMP to determine if it is effective and in line with the best practices of policing.
Specifically for the MJPS, the jury called for the service to ensure its members complete full, applicable forms on prisoners coming into their custody. Additionally, the jury recommended the custody intake form to include a field for non-responsiveness.
The inquest report also contained a message to all police services across Saskatchewan.
“Prisoners are taken into custody by various police and law enforcement agencies across the province,” the report read.
“This incident could happen at any of them and so these recommendations are equally relevant to them as well.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Princess Anne to take part in B.C. ceremony bringing new ship into Pacific fleet
Canada's first Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel will officially be brought into the Pacific fleet today and Princess Anne, the sister of King Charles, is scheduled to take part in its commissioning ceremony.
NEW Biscuits with possible plastic pieces, metal found in ground pork: Here are the recalls for this week
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
More than half of Canadians say freedom of speech is under threat, new poll suggests
A new poll suggests a majority of Canadians feel their right to freedom of speech is in danger.
How falling for a stranger she met on a beach led this woman to ditch the U.S. for the French Riviera
Niki Benjamin, from the U.S., had travelled to a paradise island to do some soul searching, and her life ended up going in a very different direction when her dog ran up to a stranger.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Feds giving Toronto more than $104M to host 2026 FIFA World Cup
The federal government will provide Toronto just over $104 million in funding to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Police move in to clear NYU encampment, U.S. campus arrests grow to 2,200 in pro-Palestinian protests
Police moved in to clear an encampment at New York University on Friday at the request of school officials, a move that follows weeks of pro-Palestinian protests at college campuses nationwide that have resulted in nearly 2,200 arrests by police.
Wally, the emotional support alligator once denied entry to a baseball game, is missing
Emotional support animal registrations in the United States reached 115,832 last year, by an industry group’s count. But in the eyes of reptile rescuer Joie Henney, there’s only one: 'Wally Gator.'
Parents of infant who died in wrong-way crash on Ontario's Hwy. 401 were in same vehicle
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit has released new details about a wrong-way collision in Whitby on Monday night that claimed the lives of four people.