An investigation into the death of a man in Calgary police custody earlier this month has concluded officers did not contribute to his death and that he was properly treated.

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has released a report on its investigation into the incident that occurred on October 18.

Police were called to a McDonald’s restaurant located at 5222 130th Avenue SE Calgary for reports of a disturbance.

When a police officer arrived on scene, they saw the man “acting erratically.” After a brief struggle, the man was arrested when he “refused to obey orders,” according to the report.

He was eventually handcuffed and taken into custody. The police carried out a pat-down search of the man, but found nothing of concern. He was then evaluated by emergency medical services and medically cleared.

ASIRT said the man was the subject of arrest warrants, including one for drug possession.

He was then taken to the Arrest Processing Section (APS) of the Calgary Police Service. After a second search, a small bag filled with a green substance that could be heroin or fentanyl was discovered, ASIRT said.

A strip search was then conducted, but nothing else was found. ASIRT says the man told the first responder on scene that he had used methamphetamine and fentanyl within the past six hours.

The man was then taken to the cell around 8:30 a.m.

As part of its investigation, ASIRT reviewed APS logs and noted that security checks were conducted on the man at regular intervals, in accordance with policy.

ASIRT also examined CCTV footage of the cell the man was in.

“Around 3:44 p.m., the man is sitting on the toilet and is seen reaching between his legs, appearing to retrieve something, and immediately putting his hand to his mouth. He then flushes the toilet and leaves the toilet to lie down on the bench,” ASIRT said.

At 4:33 p.m., the man appeared to have difficulty breathing and lost consciousness two minutes later.

Two officers entered the cell and began checking the man for a response. The APS doctor arrived, took the pulse and left the cell to collect the medical equipment. ASIRT said a CPS officer who was previously a paramedic began CPR.

The doctor returned at 4:39 p.m. with his equipment. An automated external defibrillator was applied and the man was given oxygen. Paramedics then arrived and began medical treatment, but pronounced the man dead at 5:31 p.m.

An autopsy was performed on the man on October 21, where the examiner found no obvious cause of death.

“The medical examiner is awaiting additional toxicology analyzes and other information to determine the cause of death,” ASIRT said.

“While this is so, there is no evidence that any officer caused or contributed to his death. Furthermore, all evidence confirms that during his detention the man was properly cared for.

ASIRT noted that no officers have been named as subjects and the investigation is now closed.