IIO Concludes Investigation into a July 2022 Death in Williams Lake (2022-197)
Case: 2022-197 Incident Date: July 26, 2022 Agency: RCMP Detachment: Williams Lake Location: Williams Lake Incident Classification: Death Case Status: Closed - Without Public ReportINFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release
Surrey, B.C. – The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC has concluded investigation 2022-197 into the death of a man in Williams Lake.
Shortly after 9:00 p.m. on July 26, 2022, two officers were approached by a pedestrian concerned for the wellness of a man in Boitanio Park. A medical professional who happened to be nearby and came over to see if help was needed observed the officers’ conversation with the man. He noted that the man appeared to be well and was not in any medical distress.
Video footage confirms that the officers departed the park shortly thereafter.
At approximately 11:45 p.m., the officers were flagged by two civilians and told there was a deceased man in Boitanio Park.
Upon locating the man, he was determined to be the same man the officers had spoken to earlier in the evening, and the IIO was notified as a death had occurred.
The Chief Civilian Director has reviewed the evidence – including video footage, civilian witness statements, medical information, and police records – and determined that neither police actions nor inactions were responsible for the man’s death.
The IIO investigation is now concluded.
Background
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.