Penticton RCMP not to blame for injuries suffered by man in cells: B.C. police watchdog

The province’s police watchdog has concluded an investigation into Penticton RCMP conduct after a man was seriously injured in a detachment jail cell.

The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. said in a media release today, Oct. 26, officers were called to a report of a man in the yard of a residence in the 90 block of Okanagan Avenue East on Sept. 21 around 7:10 p.m.

Police arrested the man and took him to the local detachment where closed circuit video footage later showed the man falling from a seated position in the cell, striking his head on the sink next to him before falling to the floor.

The man appeared to be in medical distress and was taken to Penticton Regional Hospital by B.C. Ambulance.

The Independent Investigations Office's chief civilian director found no evidence of any officer using force against the man at any time.

The man was transferred to a larger hospital for further treatment and eventually recovered sufficiently to leave the hospital, albeit against medical advice, the IIO said.

The chief civilian director reviewed the evidence, witness statements, medical information and closed circuit TV footage in determining the man’s injuries were not the result of police action or inaction, and have concluded the investigation.

The IIO is the independent civilian oversight agency of the police in B.C. that investigates all officer-related incidents that result in serious harm or death, whether or not there is any allegation of wrongdoing.

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