Alberta's police accountability watchdog has laid criminal charges against an RCMP officer following a formal investigation into allegations of excessive force during a response call in northern Alberta last year.
Constable Tyler Bell was arrested Thursday and charged with assault with a weapon and breach of trust, according to a statement released Friday by the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT).
The investigation stems from a September 10, 2025 incident in Atikameg, a Cree community situated approximately 300 kilometres northwest of Edmonton. ASIRT says Bell deployed what it describes as a "less-lethal baton launcher" while responding to a call involving a man armed with a large knife. The police watchdog has not disclosed additional details about the incident or whether anyone sustained injuries.
What Happens Next
Bell has been released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in Slave Lake provincial court on October 14. The RCMP has declined to comment on the officer's current employment status.
The charges mark a significant moment in Alberta's ongoing efforts to maintain police accountability through ASIRT, the independent agency tasked with investigating serious incidents involving law enforcement across the province. The case underscores ongoing public scrutiny of police use-of-force protocols and the mechanisms designed to hold officers accountable.
Many Albertans have expressed concerns about policing practices in recent years, with community members discussing accountability and transparency on platforms like Calgary Forums and other community spaces.
Information for this article was sourced from CBC Edmonton's reporting on the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team investigation and court records.