IIO Concludes Investigation into an In-Custody Death in Coquitlam (2022-007)
Case: 2022-007 Incident Date: January 18, 2022 Detachment: Coquitlam Location: Coquitlam Agency: RCMP 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 2022-007 into the circumstances surrounding an in-custody death at the Coquitlam RCMP detachment.
At about 7:30 a.m. on January 17, 2022, officers responded to a report regarding a disturbance at a residential building in the 600-block of Thompson Avenue where they located and arrested one man without incident. The man was taken to the Coquitlam detachment and lodged in cells a short time later.
Video footage shows that the man was moving independently, no force was used against him, and he displayed no signs of being unwell while in the detachment.
Detachment video confirms that jail guards checked on the man regularly during his time in cells. At approximately 8:35 a.m. on January 18, 2022, a routine cell check found the man to be unresponsive, but despite lifesaving measures the man was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The Chief Civilian Director has reviewed the evidence – including medical records, civilian witness statements, video footage, and police information – and determined that the cause of death was not related to any police actions or inactions.
The IIO investigation is now concluded. The BC Coroners Service independent investigation into the man’s death continues.
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.