IIO Notified of Fatal Incident in Penticton (2019-211)
Case: 2019-211 Incident Date: November 8, 2019 Location: Penticton Detachment: Penticton Agency: RCMP Incident Classification: Death Case Status: Closed - With Public ReportInformation Bulletin
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Posting
Surrey. B.C. – The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. has been notified of a police-involved incident in Penticton.
RCMP reported that on November 08, 2019, at approximately 8:40 a.m., officers attempted to arrest a male after a theft from a store in Penticton. The male resisted arrest and sustained a minor head injury. He was taken to hospital, which he subsequently left and had to be returned later, again by police.
The male was admitted to hospital where his condition deteriorated and subsequently, he died six days later on November 14, 2019 and the IIO was notified by BC Coroners Service. The Coroners Service will investigate to determine how, where, when and by what means he came to his death.
The IIO has commenced an investigation to determine what role, if any, officers’ actions or inaction may have played into the death of the male.
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.