Global News Edmonton has reported:

Two Yellowknife RCMP officers have been charged after 56-year-old Lawrence Blackduck died in their custody in March 2025. The officers face charges of criminal negligence causing death and failing to provide the necessities of life, according to the Alberta RCMP, which led the investigation into Blackduck’s death. The RCMP did not identify the officers.

The officers had responded to a report of a disturbance at a Yellowknife business. They detained Blackduck, who was showing signs of intoxication, and left him in a police vehicle while they gathered more information at the scene, police said. When they returned to the vehicle, they found him unresponsive.

Life-saving measures were attempted and paramedics were called, but Blackduck was pronounced dead at the scene, the RCMP said. Police did not provide further details about the officers’ alleged conduct that led to the charges.

The national police service conducted an internal review after the incident and has since changed its policy and training related to detentions in vehicles. The RCMP did not provide details about the changes.

Chief Superintendent Dyson Smith of the Northwest Territories RCMP extended condolences to Blackduck’s family and community, describing the incident as “deeply troubling.” In a statement, Smith wrote: “This is a difficult day for our organization and the communities we serve. We recognize the seriousness of this incident and remain committed to transparency, accountability and maintaining public trust and confidence,”

The charges relate to the March 2025 incident in Yellowknife, in Canada’s Northwest Territories.