IIO is Investigating a November 2021 Incident in North Cowichan (2023-005)
Case: 2023-005 Incident Date: November 21, 2021 Detachment: North Cowichan/Duncan Location: North Cowichan/Duncan Agency: RCMP Incident Classification: Serious Harm Case Status: Open - Investigation in ProgressINFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release
Surrey, B.C. — The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC is investigating the injuries of a man in North Cowichan.
Information provided by the RCMP states that in the evening on November 20, 2021, police on West Shawnigan Lake Road arrested a man and transported him in North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP detachment cells.
It is reported that there was an interaction between the man and police while the man was being lodged in cells, and that the man sustained injuries during this interaction.
During the night (November 20 – 21, 2021), the man was transported to a local hospital and released from police custody.
On November 16, 2022, the man made a complaint to the RCMP. The RCMP notified the IIO on January 5, 2023, and initial investigative steps have confirmed that the man sustained serious harm, as defined by the Police Act.
The IIO investigation to determine the details of the interaction, and whether any officer may have committed an offence, remains underway.
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.