The IIO is looking at a pair of incidents in Nanaimo and Parksville to determine if the action or inaction of police compromised the health of a pair of men. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

investigation

Independent Investigations Office probe police-linked injury and death in Nanaimo and Oceanside

Jul 24, 2023 | 4:04 PM

NANAIMO — The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. is looking closer at a pair of incidents on the central Island.

On July 14 at around 2 a.m. the IIO reports Nanaimo RCMP officers were called to deal with an allegedly intoxicated man on Wharf St.

Police took the man into custody, transported him to cells and planned to release him the following morning. However it was then the man asked for medical attention.

He was taken to hospital where a serious injury was discovered, however the IIO did not elaborate on the nature of the injury.

The man’s current condition is unclear.

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“Initial investigative steps will seek to confirm when and how the man sustained his injury, and what role, if any, police actions or inactions may have played.”

The IIO is also further examining circumstances following the arrest of a man by Oceanside RCMP in Parksville on July 18.

Mounties arrested a man after he was causing a disturbance in the 100 block of the Island Hwy. West. He was taken to cells and held overnight at the Oceanside RCMP detachment.

The following morning, the man appeared to be unwell and police called paramedics to attend, eventually taking him to hospital.

A serious injury was discovered, again, the nature of which was not described by the IIO.

The man eventually died in hospital as a result of his injury on July 21.

The IIO is a civilian-led oversight organization which looks at cases of serious injury or death involving police officers in the province, regardless of whether or not allegations are made about wrongdoing.

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