An Alberta government agency that investigates deaths linked to police says Calgary officers who fired a taser at a man are not responsible for his death.
Clifton Purvis, head of the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team, said yesterday that the actions of the four officers involved were justified.
"No criminal charges will flow as a result of their actions in relation to this tragedy."
Mr. Purvis said police were called Nov. 1, 2008, after someone spotted a man acting erratically. When they arrived, they saw Gordon Bowe from Castlegar, B.C., in the basement of a vacant house, running in the dark and screaming. He didn't respond to verbal commands.
The taser was deployed three times, he said, but was only effective once. Mr. Purvis said he's satisfied Mr. Bowe died of excited delirium syndrome related to cocaine toxicity, not as a result of the taser.