Man Commits Suicide By Firearm After Smuggling A Gun Into Cells

When Jeremy Joseph Sabourin entered Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) custody on October 7, 2022 he was still alive and Chris Flanagan - member of the MJPS since January 2009 - was a staff sergeant.

But then Sabourin committed suicide when prisoner policies were missed and in an ensuing investigation Flanagan was reduced in rank to a Constable.

Flanagan was the on duty staff sergeant when Sabourin arrived - Flanagan had been promoted to the new role just five months earlier.

That is just one of the fallouts that happened as a result of Sabourin’s passing.

The tragedy already has the MJPS implementing and using much tougher search policies when someone is taken into custody.

The inquest heard about the failure to wand (hand held metal detector) Sabourin and how that allowed a gun to be smuggled into MJPS cells.

A practice which was not significantly done properly.

Flanagan said they checked to see if Sabourin had a belt or something else that could harm him.

“You were worried about hanging?” An inquest lawyer asked.

To which Flanagan responded “yes.”

Flanagan, who helped process Sabourin, was told by Cst Paul Evans of the RCMP they did not have to searched again as the RCMP had already searched him.

“You relied upon that?” an inquest lawyer asked.

“Yes,” Flanagan responded.

Sabourin was being held in MJPS’s cells as he had to attend court the next day.

The MJPS took a quick look to see if Sabourin had a belt or anything else he could harm himself with. Seeing none they processed taking over custody.

Flanagan admitted the were lapses in following the policies.

And when they asked Sabourin about his feelings of suicide. Hours later the MJPS would receive information about Sabourin was suicidal.

The question asked on the MJPS intake here states “are you feeling suicidal?” Something Sabourin failed to answer.

Flanagan was asked if there was a policy or a process followed if they don’t respond? His response was “none that I’m aware of.”

Flanagan was asked if there was a policy or a process followed if someone answered they were suicidal. His response was there was no policy the MJPS had at the time.

They would likely be taken to a doctor or a mental health physician.

There is only one question regarding suicide on the intake sheet.

There are no other tools available to assist if someone entering custody is suicidal.

An inquest lawyer asked if there had been any improvement to assist people are suicidal to which Flanagan replied with a simple “no.”

“So Jeremy didn’t answer this does Moose Jaw Police Service have any policy when you ask that question and you don’t get an answer?” an inquest lawyer asked.

“No”

Sabourin would fail to answer the question.

Later on the MJPS found out Sabourin I’ve been flagged as suicidal. Asked about why Sabourin had been red flagged suicidal Flanigan said he did not know.

“Someone has red flagged him as suicidal. Is there any information about that?” Flanagan was asked.

“I didn’t see any,” Flanigan replied.

By that time it was much too late as Sabourin was awakened to go to court and during the process took his own life.