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A Nanaimo RCMP officer has been cleared of wrong doing after a man who was acting in a violent manner was injured while being processed at the detachment. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)
no charges

Nanaimo Mountie cleared after injury to ‘intoxicated, belligerent’ man

Oct 20, 2022 | 10:49 AM

NANAIMO — The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. found no wrongdoing on behalf of a Nanaimo RCMP officer after a man was injured while in custody.

Police arrested a man, identified in the report as AP (affected person), on April 22 shortly before 4 p.m after he was seen uttering threats, described by what the IIO called “assaultive behaviour”.

Throughout the booking process at Nanaimo RCMP cells, the IIO said video surveillance showed the individual to be “intoxicated, belligerent and yelling” and made several attempts to hit the Nanaimo RCMP officer dealing with him. The situation ultimately saw the officer pin the man against a wall.

“When SO (subject officer) releases AP, AP takes a step along the hallway, but then turns back and again confronts SO, who tries again to control AP’s wildly gesturing hands,” the IIO’s report read. “The video shows AP extending his left arm towards SO’s face, and his right arm is raised and bent at the elbow.”

The officer then grabbed the individual’s arms and took the person to the ground.

In the immediate aftermath, the report noted the individual was “clearly unable to stand, and falls back against the wall with his legs extended on the floor.”

Video showed officers bringing a foam mattress in for the man to lay on. Paramedics were called to the detachment and took him to hospital for treatment.

Interviews after the fact confirmed the altercation between the man and officer.

The man admitted to trying to punch the officer while being taken to cells but also said he had no memory of how he was injured and believed it could have been a pre-existing injury in his home.

The IIO also noted the man in question since passed away for reasons unrelated to this incident.

No charges are being recommended against the officer involved and the IIO considers the matter closed.

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