IIO Concludes Investigation into an Incident in North Vancouver (2022-053)
Case: 2022-053 Incident Date: March 29, 2022 Detachment: North Vancouver Location: North Vancouver 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 an investigation into an incident in North Vancouver.
As detailed in the previous release, at about 4:05 p.m. on March 29, 2022, members of the RCMP responded to a call regarding concerns for the well-being of an elderly man. Officers attended his address at a residential building in the 1900-block of Marine Drive and determined that the man needed to be taken to the hospital.
Independent witness statements and video show officers were escorting the man, who was walking with them, to a police vehicle when he went into medical distress. Emergency Health Services attended but, despite life-saving measures, the man was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Video footage, witness statements and medical evidence obtained during the investigation confirm that no force was used against the man by police.
The Chief Civilian Director has reviewed the evidence – including medical records, civilian witness statements, video footage, and police statements – and determined that the actions of the officer were appropriate and did not contribute to the man’s tragic death. 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.