IIO is Investigating an Incident in Victoria (2020-288)
Case: 2020-288 Incident Date: November 20, 2020 Agency: Municipal Location: Victoria Detachment: Victoria Police Department Incident Classification: Death 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 Victoria.
Information provided by the Victoria Police Department indicates that on November 20, 2020 at approximately 1:45 a.m., police received a report of a man allegedly causing a disturbance in the 600-block of Douglas Street. The man was arrested, medically cleared by Emergency Health Services, and lodged in Victoria Police detachment cells.
At about 4:15 a.m. on November 20, it was reported that the man appeared to be in medical distress. Emergency Health Services were called and transported him to a local area hospital.
On November 22, the Victoria Police Department were advised that the man had died in hospital and notified the IIO thereafter.
The IIO will investigate to determine what role, if any, police actions or inaction played in the death.
The IIO is asking any person who saw, heard or recorded the incident to contact the IIO 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.