IIO Concludes Investigation into an Incident in Penticton (2020-184)
Case: 2020-184 Incident Date: July 31, 2020 Location: Penticton Detachment: Penticton 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 Penticton.
As detailed in our previous release, on July 30, 2020 at approximately 8:00 p.m., officers responded to a request for assistance from neighbours who were concerned about the behaviour of an elderly woman who lived nearby. Officers attended the residence and spoke to the woman, who declined to go to the hospital. The officers then departed.
The following day on July 31, 2020 at about 11:00 a.m., a neighbour found the elderly woman deceased in her home. An autopsy was performed and found that the woman died of natural causes.
The IIO’s Chief Civilian Director has reviewed the evidence – including statements from independent witnesses, health records and the autopsy report – and determined that the death of the woman was not the result of police actions or inaction. The investigation is therefore 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.