IIO is Investigating an Incident in Nanaimo (2023-209)
Case: 2023-209 Incident Date: July 14, 2023 Location: Nanaimo Detachment: Nanaimo 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 an incident in Nanaimo where one person sustained serious injuries.
Information provided by the RCMP states that at about 2:00 a.m. on July 14, 2023, officers responded to a report of an allegedly intoxicated man near an address on Wharf Street. The man was arrested and lodged in Nanaimo detachment cells.
When the man was being released the following morning (July 15), it is reported that the man requested medical attention and Emergency Health Services (EHS) were contacted. EHS transported the man to a hospital for treatment.
On July 20, 2023, the man reported to the RCMP that he had sustained a serious injury, and the RCMP notified the following day. Initial investigative steps will seek to confirm when and how the man sustained his injury, and what role, if any, police actions or inactions may have played.
The IIO is asking any person with relevant information or video footage of the incident to please contact the 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.