IIO Concludes Investigation into an In-Custody Incident in Nanaimo (2023-353)
Case: 2023-353 Incident Date: December 10, 2023 Location: Nanaimo Detachment: Nanaimo Agency: RCMP Incident Classification: Serious Harm 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 2023-353 into the injuries sustained by one man while in the custody of the Nanaimo RCMP.
On December 8, 2023, a man was arrested without incident from a Nanaimo business and lodged in Nanaimo RCMP detachment cells.
On December 10, 2023, while still in cells, the man experienced a medical event which caused him to fall and sustain a serious injury. Emergency Health Services were promptly called to transport the man to a local hospital for treatment.
Video footage shows from the arrest scene and the entirety of the man’s time in cells shows that no force was used against the man at any time, and the man was the only occupant of his cell during his time in custody. Further, there was no prior indication of the medical event leading to his injury before it occurred.
The Chief Civilian Director has reviewed the evidence – including video footage from the arrest scene and RCMP cells, medical records, and police information – and determined that there is no connection between police actions or inaction and the man’s injury. There is no evidence to support that force was used by police, or any other action that could have contributed to the man’s condition.
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.