Home / Crime and Justice / B.C. Watchdog Slams RCMP for Lack of Cooperation in Officer-Involved Death
B.C. Watchdog Slams RCMP for Lack of Cooperation in Officer-Involved Death
2 Oct
Summary
- IIO flags concerning conduct by RCMP officers in a B.C. man's death investigation.
- Man died from drug toxicity after an arrest where an officer used force.
- Officers allegedly failed to fully cooperate with the IIO's investigation.
British Columbia's civilian police oversight agency has flagged "concerning and problematic conduct" by some RCMP officers who allegedly failed to fully cooperate with an investigation. The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. (IIO) issued a report detailing issues encountered while probing the 2024 death of a man in Dawson Creek.
Police responded to a disturbance and arrested the man after a struggle where an officer punched him. The man later died from methamphetamine and cocaine toxicity, according to an autopsy. The IIO concluded the use of force was not excessive but highlighted officers' failure to comply with their statutory duty to cooperate.
These failures included not filing notes, refusing interviews, and delays in providing evidence. The IIO has addressed these issues with RCMP senior management. This is not the first time the watchdog has faced resistance, recalling a similar dispute with the Vancouver Police Department that went to court, affirming officers' legal duty to cooperate.
