B.C.’s Independent Investigations Office has launched a probe into a North Vancouver RCMP incident in which an elderly man died while in the care of officers.
According to a release from the provincial police oversight body, RCMP members were called to do a wellness check for the senior, in his apartment on the 1900 block of Marine Drive in the Lower Capilano neighbourhood, during the evening of March 29.
“It is reported that police determined the man should be apprehended and taken to the hospital, but, while walking to the police vehicle, the man went into medical distress, the release stated. “Emergency Health Services attended, but the man was pronounced deceased at the scene.”
The IIO has a mandate to investigate every incidence of serious harm or death involving police, regardless of whether there are allegations of wrongdoing, to determine what role, if any, police actions or inactions played.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the witness line at 1-855-446-8477.
