IIO is Investigating a Death in Vancouver (2025-180)

Surrey, B.C. — The Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) is investigating the death of a man while in the custody of the Vancouver Police Department on July 16, 2025.

Information provided by police states, that at around 4 a.m., officers arrested a man and transported him to the VPD jail, arriving around 4:30 a.m.

The man was taken to a cell, but later found unresponsive around 10 a.m. BC Emergency Health Services was called and provided aid. Paramedics then transported the man by ambulance to a hospital where he later died.

The IIO was notified about the incident shortly after it occurred and is now investigating.

There are two factors that the IIO considers at the beginning of each investigation:

1. If there has been an injury that meets the threshold of serious harm, as defined by the Police Act, or a death; and
2. If there is a connection between the serious harm/death and police action or inaction.

If both conditions are met, the investigation will continue to examine all available evidence to determine what occurred. At the conclusion of the investigation, the chief civilian director will consider whether there are reasonable grounds to believe that an offence may have occurred.

The IIO is asking that any witnesses that have not already provided a statement, or who have video footage of the incident, to please contact the IIO at our Witness Line toll-free at 1-855-446-8477 or via the contact form on the iiobc.ca website.

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.

info@iiobc.ca