The IIO didn't recommend charges against a Nanaimo RCMP officer who took a woman to the ground when she was resisting arrest during a mental health call. (file photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

mental health act

Charges not recommended after mental health check leaves suicidal woman with broken leg

Oct 6, 2020 | 11:30 AM

NANAIMO — An officer was found to have acted within the law when taking down a Nanaimo woman suffering a mental health crisis.

An investigation by the Independent Investigations Office (IIO) found “there is no indication (the officer) used unnecessary or excessive force at any point” during the March 18, 2020 incident.

The officer was called to a Vancouver Island Mental Health Society facility to assist a fellow Nanaimo RCMP officer with a woman who had made suicidal comments to facility staff.

Witnesses reported the woman was in a “visibly upset state” after a conversation with staff.

The woman herself reported she was distraught after the conversation and “things were escalating in my brain.”

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The IIO report said initial attempts to calmly engage with the woman weren’t productive.

The woman reported feeling scared for her life when the second officer arrived at the facility to assist with taking her in.

A foot chase ensued around a police car. A witness described the woman as being “quite combative at that point…not cooperating with being restrained.”

The officer took the woman to the ground with one leg in front of her and his upper body behind her.

A civilian witness, who claimed to have seen many mental health call takedowns, said “it looked like an appropriate takedown…a supported fall, not a push.”

The woman said existing leg pain was exacerbated by the incident and she couldn’t stand properly.

Officers took the woman to hospital, where it was discovered her leg was broken. It was surgically repaired.

The IIO report said the injury was unfortunate but “the move to the ground was well within the bounds of what was reasonable in the circumstances.”

The report cited the significant amount of unsuccessful attempts to negotiate with the woman in her time of crisis as a reason why the mental health call takedown was required.

Though the incident happened in March, it wasn’t brought to the IIO’s attention until May when the woman complained of treatment at the hands of Nanaimo RCMP officers.

The officer under investigation did not provide any evidence to the IIO.

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