IIO Provides Update to an Incident in Parksville (2023-206)

INFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release

Surrey, B.C. — The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC confirms that the affected person, a man, involved in a recent incident in Parksville has died (IIO 2023-206).

The man appeared unwell while being released from police custody on July 19, 2023, and he was taken to a hospital for treatment. On July 21, 2023, the man died in hospital.

The IIO investigation continues and will determine what role, if any, police actions or inactions may have played in the death.

Incident Summary

Information provided by the RCMP states that in the evening on July 18, 2023, police responded to calls regarding a man allegedly causing a disturbance in the 100-block of Island Highway West. Police arrested the man and lodged him in cells at the Oceanside detachment.

When the man was being released the following morning (July 19), it is reported that officers noted he appeared unwell and contacted Emergency Health Services (EHS). EHS transported the man to a hospital for treatment.

At the hospital, the man was found to have suffered a serious injury.

On July 20, 2023, the IIO was notified of the incident when police became aware of seriousness of the man’s condition. Initial investigative steps will seek to confirm when and how the man sustained his injury, and if police played any role in his current condition.

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.

info@iiobc.ca