The IIO determined a man's serious injury sustained while being held at Nanaimo RCMP detachment cells were not caused b police actions or inactions. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

investigation wraps

Nanaimo RCMP cleared after man seriously injured in custody

Feb 21, 2024 | 11:39 AM

NANAIMO — An investigation found no connection between police and a serious injury sustained by a man while in Nanaimo RCMP custody.

The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of B.C. opened the investigation in Dec. 2023, after a man in custody collapsed inside a Nanaimo police cell on Dec. 10.

The report says the man was arrested without incident on Dec. 8, and transported to the Nanaimo RCMP detachment cells.

On Dec. 10, while still in the cells, “the man experienced a medical event which caused him to fall and sustain a serious injury. Emergency Health Services were promptly called to transport the man to a local hospital for treatment,” according to the statement released by IIO.

Video footage showed the man was the only person in the cell during his time in custody and that no force was used against him, the IIO report stated.

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“The Chief Civilian Director has reviewed the evidence – including video footage from the arrest scene and RCMP cells, medical records, and police information – and determined that there is no connection between police actions or inaction and the man’s injury,” according to the report.

The IIO investigation into this incident is now concluded.

The IIO is currently reviewing the case of an allegedly intoxicated man who asked for medical attention on July 14 after being placed in the Nanaimo RCMP cells.

He was also taken to hospital where a serious injury was discovered.

In addition, the police watchdog group is looking into a July 18 incident in Parksville, where a man eventually died of his injuries in hospital, after first being arrested and placed in the holding cells by Oceanside RCMP.

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

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