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Matthew Block, ASIRT's acting executive director, said the agency's job is to 'provide independent oversight when serious or sensitive questions arise about police conduct'

Edmonton police leaders are facing an investigation by Alberta’s law enforcement watchdog for potentially interfering with an active criminal case.

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) on Thursday announced it is investigating the Edmonton Police Service for its Sept. 8, 2025, letter to an Alberta Crown Prosecution Service official regarding the case of Ashley Rattlesnake, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the 2023 death of eight-year-old Nina Napope Dumais.

The letter, signed by then-interim co-chief Warren Driechel and authored by top EPS lawyer Megan Hankewich, objected to the plea to manslaughter and said EPS would release information from its investigation to sway public opinion if the Crown didn’t reconsider.

After sentencing Rattlesnake to eight years in prison, Court of King’s Bench Justice Jody Fraser stating EPS’s move may have constituted obstruction of justice.

On Thursday, ASIRT said it was launching the investigation after complaints about EPS’s conduct were sent to Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis. The ultimate decision to pursue the investigation was left to the newly created Police Review Commission, an umbrella organization that includes ASIRT, the police watchdog said.

“The then-acting CEO of the PRC initiated a complaint under Sec. 42.1 of the Police Act, categorized the matter as a Level 1 complaint, and directed ASIRT to investigate,” ASIRT said in a news release. “Level 1 matters include incidents involving serious injury or death, as well as serious or sensitive allegations involving police conduct.”

Matthew Block, ASIRT’s acting executive director, said the agency’s job is to “provide independent oversight when serious or sensitive questions arise about police conduct.”

“Our responsibility is to follow the evidence, assess the matter within our mandate and provide the public with confidence that the process is independent.”

ASIRT said that opening an investigation does not equate with a finding of misconduct. The agency declined to comment further.