IIO is Investigating an Incident in Nanaimo (2020-255)
Case: 2020-255 Incident Date: October 1, 2020 Location: Nanaimo Detachment: 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 is investigating an incident in Nanaimo.
Information provided by the RCMP indicates that on October 1, 2020 at approximately 4:30 a.m.*, officers responded to a reported disturbance at a residence in the 200-block of Ninth Street. A woman was arrested and transported to the RCMP detachment.
When officers were lodging the woman in cells, a struggle ensued, and the woman alleged she sustained injuries.
The IIO is investigating to determine what role, if any, the officers’ actions or inaction may have played in the woman’s injuries.
Officers reportedly were not informed of injuries at the time of the incident and it wasn’t until October 15, 2020 that the RCMP learned of the injuries and notified the IIO.
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.
*a previous version of this release reported the time of the incident as 4:30 p.m. in error.