B.C. police watchdog investigating death in Kamloops RCMP cells

KAMLOOPS — The Independent Investigations Office of B.C is investigating an incident after a man was found dead in his cell at the Kamloops RCMP detachment early this morning.

Kamloops RCMP notified the police watchdog of an incident where a prisoner was found unresponsive in his cell at the detachment just before 6 a.m. today, March 13, according to an B.C. RCMP media release.

Police say the man was arrested in the 100-block of Victoria Street yesterday, March 12, at 9:30 p.m., after a complaint. The man had previously been asked not to attend a certain business.

RCMP say the man appeared intoxicated.

The individual was arrested and taken to the Kamloops RCMP cells and was to be released when he was able to care for himself. The man was pronounced dead this morning.

The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. is now investigating to determine if the actions or inactions of police are linked to the man’s death.

No further information has been released by Kamloops RCMP.

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