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Susan Hughson resigns as head of Alberta Serious Incident Response Team

Nov. 30, 2021, Edmonton, Alta. – The head of Alberta’s police watchdog has resigned after seven years on the job.

Justice Minister Kaycee Madu says Susan Hughson is leaving as executive director of the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team, known as ASIRT, to rejoin the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service.

He says in an email that Hughson is needed to work on a complex legal case for the Crown that requires her expertise.

Madu says this is a planned transition and that Mike Ewenson will act as executive director until a new person for the position is recruited.

Hughson confirmed her resignation in an email but declined further comment.

Earlier this year, Hughson told an Edmonton Police Commission meeting that ASIRT faced significant delays in complicated cases due to a lack of resources.

In 2019, she said ASIRT needed more resources because case files were coming in faster than they could be closed.

“Sue Hughson is leaving her position as executive director of ASIRT in early December to rejoin the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service,” Madu said Tuesday.

“A few months ago, (the Crown prosecution service) approached Ms. Hughson for assistance on a file which evolved into a mutual decision for her to permanently return. I thank Ms. Hughson for her tireless work in service to Albertans, and for her role in leading the critical work ASIRT does.”

Hughson was appointed as head of ASIRT in 2014 after working in the Crown prosecution service since 1991.

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team is responsible for the independent investigation of police actions that lead to injury or death. It also reviews serious or sensitive allegations of police misconduct.