Danielle Smith addresses Indigenous deaths in police custody on radio program [Video]

Alberta’s premier spoke to calls for an outside, independent investigation into the death of Jon Wells during an incident involving Calgary police last week.

Wells, a 42-year-old Blood Tribe man, died following a confrontation with three officers at the Carriage House Inn on Sept. 17.

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) is investigating the officers’ use of force.

ASIRT’s stated mandate is to investigate “incidents involving Alberta’s police that have resulted in serious injury or death to any person, as well as serious or sensitive allegations of police misconduct.”

Saturday, on her radio program Your Province Your Premier, Danielle Smith said ASIRT “is the mechanism” for situations requiring an outside, independent investigation.

“That’s what ASIRT is. They’re an independent investigator. … I’ve been pleased with their work,” she said.

“They have come back oftentimes and recommended charges, and then it’s up to the Crown prosecutors to determine whether there’s a reasonable likelihood of conviction.

“Let’s see what …