Calgary In-Custody Death Sparks ASIRT Investigation Amid Mental Health Crisis
The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has launched an investigation into an in-custody death in southeast Calgary, raising fresh concerns about police handling of mental health crises. On November 23, 2025, around 4:40 p.m., emergency services were called to a home on 30 Avenue S.E. for a mental health-related incident. Officers found a man in his 40s acting erratically.
As officers attempted to detain him, the man became combative, assaulting an officer. Despite the use of tasers, he continued to resist before falling into medical distress and was later pronounced dead at the hospital. While no officers were seriously injured, the incident underscores the complexities of crisis intervention.
This case unfolds within Calgary's ongoing efforts to refine responses to mental health emergencies. The city has invested heavily in crisis response systems, including the Police and Crisis Team (PACT) program, pairing officers with mental health clinicians. Despite these efforts, gaps remain in addressing mental health crises effectively.
Recently proposed legislation, such as the Mental Health Services Protection Amendment Act and the Compassionate Intervention Act, aims to improve mental health support, though their impact is yet to be fully realized. As ASIRT investigates, the incident highlights the urgent need for continued improvement in handling such sensitive situations.
