IIO is Investigating Two Incidents in Vancouver (2021-281 & 2021-282)
INFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release
Surrey, B.C. – The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC is investigating two incidents in Vancouver.
Information provided by the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) indicates that on October 16, 2021, two men went into medical distress while in VPD detachment cells. The men had been arrested separately regarding unrelated outstanding warrants. The arrests did not occur at the same location.
2021-281
A man was arrested on October 15, 2021 at approximately 11:30 p.m. and was lodged in VPD cells. At approximately 7:25 a.m. the following morning (October 16), the man was found to be in medical distress.
2021-282
On October 16, 2021, a different man was arrested at 2:30 a.m. and taken to VPD cells. The man was found to be in medical distress at approximately 5:30 a.m. the same morning.
In both cases, jail personnel provided medical assistance until Emergency Health Services arrived and transported the men to the hospital for treatment.
The IIO has commenced an investigation to determine what role, if any, police action or inaction may have played in the men’s conditions.
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.