Update to IIO Investigation into an Incident in Coquitlam (2021-288)
Case: 2021-288 Incident Date: October 19, 2021 Detachment: Coquitlam Location: Coquitlam Agency: RCMP Incident Classification: Death Case Status: Closed - With Public ReportINFORMATION 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 an incident in Coquitlam has died.
As stated in our previous release, information provided by the RCMP indicates that on October 19, 2021 at approximately 3:10 a.m., an individual requested police assistance with a man reported to be intoxicated. Officers located the man in the 300 block of Balfour Drive a short time later, and while taking the man into custody, a struggle reportedly ensued.
After the man was handcuffed, he was noted to be in medical distress and officers provided assistance. Emergency Health Services arrived and transported the man to a local hospital for treatment. On October 21, 2021, the IIO was notified that the man had died.
The IIO investigation into the incident continues. The BC Coroners Service is also conducting an independent investigation to determine the circumstances of the death.
The IIO is asking any person with relevant information 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.