Anne Bucher  |  February 18, 2020

Category: Legal News

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man in handcuffs regarding the man arrested by RCMP while likely having a strokeThe Royal Canadian Mounted Police have been hit with a lawsuit by a man who says he was arrested for public intoxication while he was likely suffering from a stroke, and even though he says he did not have a drink that night. The RCMP lawsuit also alleges he was left unattended in a jail cell for more than 18 hours as his condition deteriorated.

On July 16, 2015, plaintiff Alan Ruel reportedly suffered from a “disorienting event” that caused him to become confused and slur his speech. This event was likely an initial stroke, according to the stroke victim’s lawsuit.

While in this state, he went to a bar to visit a friend. An employee at the bar believed Ruel was drunk when he arrived because his clothing was dishevelled and his car was parked on the sidewalk. According to the RCMP lawsuit, Ruel only had water to drink at the bar.

The employee kicked Ruel out and called the police. Ruel asked the officers for a breathalyzer test to show he wasn’t intoxicated, but his request was denied. The arresting officer reported smelling alcohol on Ruel’s breath, the RCMP lawsuit alleges.

When his wife, who was out of town, did not answer Ruel’s call to their home phone number, the police put Ruel in the drunk tank at about 7 p.m. No one checked on him for 12 hours, the RCMP lawsuit alleges, pointing to surveillance video footage.

A neurologist’s report that was submitted to the court suggested Ruel likely suffered a more severe stroke at 10 p.m. that night.

Surveillance video reportedly shows Ruel’s condition worsening over time. He says dragged himself to the door and banged on it to get a guard’s attention and ask for water, but no one checked on him. The video footage reportedly shows that he was never given any water.

The first time the video shows an officer checking on Ruel is more than 12 hours after he was first put in the cell. However, that officer only poked his head in for 8 seconds and reportedly failed to enter the cell or perform a physical assessment. Five hours later, an officer entered and tried and failed to get Ruel into a standing position so he could be released. At this point, the officers realized something was wrong. Paramedics reportedly transported Ruel to the hospital about an hour later.

The stroke victim’s lawsuit points out that the RCMP’s operational manuals advise officers not to “attempt to determine the degree of responsiveness of a prisoner who appears less than fully conscious” and “never assume a prisoner is ‘sleeping it off.’”

RCMP’s manuals urge officers to seek immediate medical assistance if there are concerns about a prisoner’s condition.

The neurologist’s report notes that earlier medical intervention may have improved Ruel’s situation. Now, however, Ruel says his mind remains unclear. Although physical therapy has helped him regain some use of the left side of his body, he still walks with a limp and has decreased function.

Ruel previously worked as an offshore drilling consultant but has been unable to secure employment after his stroke. His condition has also left him unable to do many of the activities he enjoys such as hunting, fishing and riding motorcycles.

The $6 million lawsuit was filed against the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the government agencies that run the RCMP, and the officers involved.

What do you think about this RCMP lawsuit? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

Ruel is represented by Mathew Farrell.

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4 thoughts onStroke Victim’s Lawsuit Says RCMP Mistook Him for Being Drunk and Locked Him Up

  1. Mr/Wayne Jenkins says:

    Add me to

  2. Robert Levi says:

    I was arrested in Brazoria county and charged with DWI after having a stroke. The officer didn’t give me a breatheallizer or blood test. I told the officer I had had a stroke but that didn’t matter.

  3. CATHY MOREAU says:

    give him your money

  4. michelle lynch says:

    The same thing happened to a friend of mine here in San Diego, CA very recently. She was in a public parking lot, began having an neurological seizure (was not her first), and was detained and ultimately arrested by the sheriff’s dept. for drunk in public when she was stone cold sober. smh. the stupidity is absurd.

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