Slave Lake (Rajeev Sharma): An RCMP constable has been charged with two criminal offences following an investigation into the alleged excessive use of force during a police response in northern Alberta.
Const. Tyler Bell was arrested by the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) on Sept. 10, 2026, nearly a year after the incident that prompted the investigation. He faces charges of assault with a weapon and breach of trust.
The case relates to an RCMP response on Sept. 10, 2025, after police received a call concerning a man reportedly carrying a large knife in the Atikameg townsite. During the response, an officer used a less-lethal baton launcher.
ASIRT was formally directed to examine an allegation of excessive force on Oct. 8, 2025. Investigators also reviewed the officer’s reports and statements as part of their examination of the incident.
According to ASIRT, evidence collected during the investigation established reasonable grounds to believe that a criminal offence had occurred. Following a review of the investigation, ASIRT Executive Director Matthew Block determined that charges against the officer were warranted.
Bell was released on an undertaking and is due to appear before the Alberta Court of Justice in Slave Lake on Oct. 14, 2026.
As the case is now before the courts, ASIRT said it would not provide further information at this stage. Questions concerning Bell’s employment status, including whether he remains on active duty, have been referred to the RCMP.
ASIRT operates under the Police Review Commission as an independent, civilian-led body responsible for investigating potential criminal offences involving police officers in Alberta. Its mandate includes cases in which police actions may have resulted in serious injury or death.
