IIO Concludes Investigation into an October 1, 2020 Incident in Nanaimo (2020-255)
Case: 2020-255 Incident Date: October 1, 2020 Detachment: Nanaimo Location: 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 an investigation into an incident in Nanaimo.
As detailed in a previous release, on October 1, 2020 at approximately 4:30 a.m., police responded to a reported disturbance at a residence in the 200-block of Ninth Street. A woman, the affected person in this case, was arrested and taken to RCMP cells.
Video evidence at the RCMP detachment indicates that while being processed, the woman was not cooperating with officer requests and attempted to pull away. Two officers each gained control of one arm and as she continued to pull, the three fell to the ground. The affected person did not report any injury to police, and video evidence shows no overt signs of discomfort or uses of force during the rest of her time at the detachment.
Four days later, the woman attended a medical centre and was found to have three broken ribs which required no treatment.
The IIO’s Chief Civilian Director has reviewed the evidence – including detachment video, medical records, statements from the affected person and one civilian witness, and police records – and determined that the injuries sustained by the woman do not meet the threshold for serious harm as defined by the Police Act. In addition, the video corroborates that no other force was used.
The IIO 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.