More details are emerging in the death of a woman in police custody in Swift Current

The Saskatchewan Police Department has released more details about the death of a woman in police custody in Swift Current this past weekend.

The woman was taken into custody by RCMP in Swift Current and experienced medical distress during transport to hospital, where she was pronounced dead, police previously said.

The Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team – which is tasked with investigating cases where serious injury or death is suspected related to police actions or while a person is in police custody – has launched an investigation.

In a news release Wednesday, SIRT said RCMP were called shortly after 11 a.m. Sunday by a family member of the 55-year-old woman requesting a wellness check.

According to SIRT’s news release, the woman was found at a local hotel where RCMP said she refused help from officers and paramedics.

RCMP took her into custody without incident under the Mental Health Services Act and was then transported to a waiting ambulance.

While en route to Cypress Regional Hospital, she became medically distressed and became unresponsive, the SIRT statement said. She was taken to hospital but was pronounced dead shortly before 12:30 p.m

SIRT was notified of her death by RCMP this afternoon and is now investigating police conduct during the incident, including the circumstances surrounding the woman’s arrest and detention.

Within 90 days of completing the investigation, SIRT will provide the public with a final report.

No further information is being released at this time, the police supervisory authority said.