A Canadian police watchdog claims there's no evidence an offence was committed by Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers who arrested Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation Chief Allan Adam outside a casino in 2020, despite the Mounties' own dashcam footage showing an officer jump-tackling the chief to the ground without warning, punching him in the head and putting him in a chokehold.

In a decision released earlier this month, the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) concluded the two RCMP officers under investigation were lawfully placed and had acted properly during the violent arrest.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) reported the written decision by executive director Michael Ewenson concluded there was nothing to suggest racism played a part in the encounter.

Chief Adam responded, saying ASIRT is "completely broken" and designed to "protect the ability of police to assault and terrorise Indigenous people and other racial minorities".

He said ASIRT's reputation for absolving officers was why he did not participate or provide evidence in the investigation.

Chief Adam called the suggestion that race was not involved is "laughable".

"These incidents do not occur to wealthy white people in Alberta. Since its inception, the RCMP was designed to intimidate and control Indigenous Canadians. Nothing has changed in the 158 years since confederation," he said.

"The message to police across Alberta is clear — there are still no consequences for those who assault and murder Indigenous people."

The CBC reports that in March 2020, Chief Adam was leaving a Fort McMurray casino with his wife and niece when an officer pulled up behind his vehicle. The truck had an expired licence plate.

When Chief Adam became irritated and swore during the following conversation, the officer called for backup.

The Chief became agitated when an officer took hold of his wife's arm to arrest her for obstructing an officer.

The ASIRT claims an officer approached Chief Adam, took hold of his left arm, and told him he was under his arrest.

Another officer arriving at the scene charged and hit Chief Adam's upper chest, taking him to the ground. While Chief Adam was on the ground, the second officer punched him in the head.

Chief Adam accused police of beating and targeting him for being First Nations. He said he would not have been subject to such violence for having expired registration were he not a member of a minority group.

Chief Adam was initially charged with resisting arrest and assaulting an officer. The charges were later dropped.

Edmonton defence lawyer Brian Beresh, who represented Chief Adam when those charges were working through the courts, said in an interview that ASIRT's findings are unacceptable.

"The attorney general had most of the information that ASIRT had. How could it be that the top chief enforcement officer in this province decides charges are not warranted but when we look at how those charges came about, ASIRT decides there shouldn't even be a trial?" he said.

"This does not enhance the credibility of the police with First Nations groups or Métis groups or minorities."

He criticised the police watchdog and reiterated the need for an independent investigative agency.

"Police cannot effectively investigate the police because, as we see in this case, they simply accept what the police officer said without question," Mr Beresh said.

The ASIRT report notes neither Chief Adam or his wife complied with their investigation, as was their right.

It analysed dashcam video from the officers' vehicles and spoke with witnesses.

The report claimed Chief Adam could have been found to be uttering threats and committing assault during the encounter.

However, he was not prosecuted for threats or assault, suggesting there was no evidence to support these claims.

With the Canadian Press.