IIO Investigation into in-custody death concluded

INFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release
Dec. 4, 2012

SURREY – The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) investigation into a recent in-custody death in Vancouver has concluded.

On Oct. 7, 2012, at 6:46 p.m., the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) received a 911 call regarding a man who was allegedly creating a disturbance at a park located in the 900 block of West 7th Ave.  Two officers attended and located the man in the area. After making contact with the man, it was determined that he would not be arrested or sent to detox, but instead offered a ride home to his residence.

The man accepted the offer and was placed inside a VPD van driven by a uniformed officer.  Neither handcuffs nor any other restraints were utilised.  The van left the park at 7:16 p.m. and arrived at the man’s residence seven minutes later.

Once at the residence, the transporting officer found the man to be unconscious.  Paramedics were immediately called and arrived within 12 minutes, assumed resuscitation efforts and transported the man to Vancouver General Hospital.  He did not regain consciousness and was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival.

Following a thorough investigation by IIO investigators, Chief Civilian Director Richard Rosenthal concluded that there was no evidence that any police officer committed an offence in relation to this death.  Mr. Rosenthal’s findings are outlined in a Public Report which can be downloaded at the link below.

The IIO remains committed to its goals to conduct fair, unbiased, timely, thorough and competent investigations and to ensure transparency through public reporting.

Download Report: Final_Public_Report_ICD_VPD_Oct_7_2012.pdf  [PDF, 518 KB]

Contact:

Owen Court owen.court@iiobc.ca