A report from British Columbia’s police oversight body reveals that systemic failures in prisoner monitoring played a role in the death of an Indigenous man in Smithers RCMP custody almost four years ago. The man, who had been arrested for aggravated assault related to a home invasion, died by suicide in his cell while the guard on duty was observed either dozing off or turning away from surveillance screens.
The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) uncovered that required safety checks were not consistently conducted at the Smithers RCMP detachment as mandated by policy. The report lamented the preventable nature of the man’s death, although it concluded that there was no basis to suspect criminal wrongdoing by the officers involved.
Key findings disclosed that the man had not received a physical check by officers after 7:57 a.m. on September 4 until he was discovered unresponsive 13 hours later. Video footage captured the man being unresponsive about 90 minutes after his last meal was delivered through his cell door. The investigation revealed a pattern of neglect in conducting physical checks on detainees, with a guard admitting to the lapse in ensuring proper monitoring of the man.
The report highlighted staffing shortages at the Smithers detachment, with an acting commander noting deviations in how cell operations were managed compared to other facilities. It was revealed that essential training for guards had not been updated, and there was a lack of oversight in ensuring regular physical checks were conducted.
While acknowledging various oversights in prisoner care, the IIO clarified that the officers’ actions did not amount to criminal negligence causing death. The incident underscored the need for improved detainee welfare practices, especially considering the disproportionately high number of Indigenous individuals who have died in custody in recent years.
The report concluded that there had been a history of neglecting policy adherence in safeguarding prisoners within the detachment, indicating a systemic failure that required addressing. Additionally, it emphasized the importance of proper care for detainees to prevent similar tragedies in the future.