'I did not feel he needed direct medical attention': Arresting officers testify at Michael Ryan death inquiry

Police who arrested Michael Ryan say the 38-year-old appeared high and agitated but was not in medical distress when they encountered him wandering in-and-out of traffic on a busy west-side thoroughfare.

Ryan died in police custody on Feb. 26, 2016, hours after getting arrested at 22nd Street and Avenue P.

An autopsy later revealed he had methamphetamine and cocaine in his system.

• Family of Saskatoon man who died after arrest wants to know why he was jailed, rather than hospitalized

​The three officers who dealt with Ryan on the street all testified at the inquest.

They all described how Ryan appeared wild-eyed and sweaty, and was shouting into a cell phone that appeared to be broken. Officers had to use force to get him into a police cruiser.

"He was actively resistant but not assaultive on police officers," said Const. Sheldon Reddekopp.

Ryan's family has standing at the inquest and they questioned Reddekopp, who worked as a paramedic for 11 years before becoming a police officer.

Reddekopp said that Ryan appeared visibly intoxicated at the scene. Officers did not call an ambulance because they did not feel he could be safely assessed on the busy street. He had refused medical assistance. He was coherent enough to provide his name, date of birth and address, Reddekopp said. Officers discovered Ryan had outstanding criminal warrants.

"I knew that he had to be, and would be, checked on every 10 minutes in the cells," Reddekopp said.

"I did not feel he needed direct medical attention."

The inquest continues Wednesday.