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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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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