Melfort RCMP Officer Won’t Face Charges After Arrest

A Saskatchewan RCMP officer will not face criminal charges after a 38-year-old woman suffered a broken arm during a mental-health apprehension in Melfort.

However, the case has raised serious questions about police use of force.

The Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team, or SIRT, investigated the incident. Investigators found reasonable grounds to believe the officer may have committed assault causing bodily harm.

Still, prosecutors decided not to proceed with charges.

Woman Was Taken Into Custody After Leaving Hospital

The incident happened on July 2, 2025, outside Melfort Hospital.

Earlier that day, the woman had gone to the hospital for mental-health concerns. She later left the facility against medical advice.

Police received several calls about her. In one call, the woman said she needed help and did not know where she was.

She was later found in the hospital parking lot wearing a hospital gown.

Police were told that she needed to return for treatment. As a result, an RCMP officer went to the parking lot and spoke with her.

The officer then told her that she was being apprehended under Saskatchewan’s Mental Health Services Act.

Struggle Escalated Quickly

At first, the woman said she did not feel safe going back to the hospital.

She also offered to return if she could call her sister first. The officer told her she could make the call after returning to the hospital.

She refused.

Then, when the officer reached for her, she pushed his hand away and tried to run.

During the struggle, she swung her arm backwards and struck the officer in the head. His hat was knocked off.

The officer then took her to the ground.

SIRT Raised Concerns About the Force Used

According to the investigation, the woman curled up on her side and kept her hands near her head.

Body-camera footage captured the officer shouting at her during the struggle.

The woman repeatedly said she would cooperate and raised a hand to be handcuffed.

However, SIRT said the officer did not simply complete the handcuffing.

Instead, the investigation found that he pulled her arm behind her back and applied a handcuff. He then pulled upward on the arm with both hands.

Her arm broke during the action.

Medical records later showed that she had suffered a spiral fracture to the right humeral shaft.

Watchdog Found Reasonable Grounds for Assault

SIRT said the level of force appeared to go beyond what the law protects in such circumstances.

Investigators also pointed to the officer’s anger during the incident.

In its report, SIRT said the force appeared more consistent with punishment or retaliation for the earlier struggle.

That finding is significant.

Still, it does not mean the officer has been convicted of a crime. In fact, prosecutors decided that the evidence did not provide a strong enough case to proceed with criminal charges.

No Criminal Charges, But the Matter Isn’t Over

Although the officer will not face criminal charges, the case has not simply disappeared.

SIRT has sent the matter to the RCMP and the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP.

The watchdog has also recommended that the officer face internal discipline under the RCMP Code of Conduct.

Meanwhile, the incident has renewed attention on how police respond to people experiencing mental-health crises.

The case also highlights a difficult line for officers. Police must act quickly when someone may be at risk. At the same time, the force used during an arrest must remain lawful and proportionate.

Here, SIRT concluded that the officer had grounds to apprehend the woman. However, investigators questioned what happened after the physical struggle began.

A Case That Raises Bigger Questions

The decision not to lay charges may close the criminal investigation, but it leaves important questions behind.

How should officers respond when a mental-health crisis turns into a physical struggle?

When does necessary force become excessive?

And what should happen when a police watchdog believes there are reasonable grounds for an offence, but prosecutors do not believe a conviction is likely?

For now, the officer will not face criminal charges.

However, the recommended internal review means the case could still have consequences within the RCMP.