Allegations of Strathmore RCMP misconduct being investigated

By Sean Feagan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

An investigation is underway following allegations of misconduct by Strathmore RCMP during a recent traffic stop.

The stop happened around 5 p.m. on Aug. 21, when a vehicle operated by a 25-year-old male was pulled over by Strathmore RCMP, according to a government of Alberta news release. It is reported the driver was arrested, taken into custody, charged with uttering threats, obstruction of a peace officer and resisting arrest. He was released the next day.

Also in the stopped vehicle was the driver’s mother, Lurleen Hilliard, a 51-year-old Strathmore resident. Hilliard alleges, through a Aug. 22 video posted to Facebook Live, that during the traffic stop, her son was unnecessarily and repeatedly tasered, and that both she and her son were subjected to unnecessary use of force and injured as a result.

“My son was on the ground, with four RCMP officers on his back,” said Hilliard in the video. “They were beating him. They were tasing him.”

She also alleges the stop was unwarranted and was made in retaliation to a previous complaint made to the RCMP.

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT), an independent agency with a mandate including investigating serious or sensitive allegations of misconduct by Alberta police officers, has been directed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the encounter.

ASIRT is asking any members of the public who may have witnessed the events, or who may have available video of the incident, to contact investigators at 403-592-4306.