Independent Investigations Office in Prince Rupert as part of investigation related to death following arrest

The Independent Investigations Office has been called to
Prince Rupert to investigate the death of a male who had
been in detachment cells prior to transportation to
hospital for medical attention.

The Independent investigations Office has opened an investigation into a Death in Prince Rupert where one man has died in hospital, transported from the detachment cells in the early hours of October 29.

In an information release from Monday, the IIO outlined the scope of their investigation into events and what they know to this point. 

The IIO noting that the information provided by the Prince Rupert RCMP stated: 

That on October 27th, a man was arrested reportedly without incident and then lodged in detachment cells just after midnight on October 28.

At about 3:40 a.m. on October 29, 2022, the man requested medical assistance and Emergency Health Services transported him to the hospital. 

Later that morning, he went into medical distress and was subsequently pronounced deceased.

The IIO has commenced an investigation to determine what role, if any, police actions or inactions may have played in the man’s death.

No other information, including that related to the original arrest has been released to this point.

The IIO is asking any person with relevant information or video footage regarding the incident to please contact the Witness Line toll-free at 1-855-446-8477 or via the contact form on the iiobc.ca website.

The IIO case file is available here

The contact form can be accessed from this link.

The IIO is the Independent civilian oversight agency of the police in British Columbia. It investigates all officer-related incidents that result in serious harm or death, whether or not there is any allegation of wrongdoing.

More notes on files from Emergency Responders  in the Northwest can be reviewed from our archive page.