Man Dies in Fisher Branch RCMP Detention After Intoxication Arrest (July 26, 2023)

The Independent Investigation Unit (IIU) is investigating the death of a man in detention at the RCMP detachment in Fisher Branch. They report that on July 26, 2023, at approximately 12:32 AM in Peguis, a man was found incapacitated on a road and was arrested by First Nation safety officers under the Intoxicated Persons Detention Act. He was transported to Fisher Branch RCMP and detained in cells by the RCMP. At approximately 2:15 AM, the man indicated that he needed medical attention. He was assessed by EMS, taken to hospital in Gimli, and subsequently to Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg. He was pronounced dead there.

The IIU report that RCMP notified them of the incident on July 28, 2023.

Because this involves a fatality, the IIU has made a request for a civilian monitor to the Manitoba Police Commission.

Quebec City Police Shoot and Kill Man in Crisis Outside Hospital (July 27, 2023)

Quebec City police shot and killed a man who was in distress outside a hospital on the morning of July 27, 2023.

The Bureau of Independent Investigations (BEI) reports that police teceived a 911 call at around 11:25 AM regarding a man in crisis in front of Hôpital de l’Enfant-Jésus, in Quebec City’s La Cité-Limoilou borough. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots.

Incredibly the Service de police de la Ville de Québec (SPVQ), have tried to shame and blame the victim. They released a statement saying the man was “talking out of turn” and “behaving in a threatening manner towards other hospital users and passersby on the public highway.”

They also claimed the man made “rambling remarks” before police shot him.

Police are not about health care and should not be deployed against people in distress.

The BEI has assigned six investigators and a BEI supervisor to examine the killing. They are not an independent agency and rely on police from other forces for their investigations.

John Boyce (53) Dies After Oceanside RCMP Arrest and Detention (July 18-22, 2023)

John Boyce, a 53-year-old man died after being arrested and kept overnight in cells by Oceanside RCMP on July 18. Mr. Boyce died in hospital on the morning of July 22. The Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) reports that police responded to calls about a man allegedly causing a disturbance in the 100-block of Island Highway West in Parksville.

RCMP arrested a man, later identified as Mr. Boyce, and put him in cells at the Oceanside detachment. They claim that when he was released the following morning, he appeared unwell, so they contacted paramedics, who took the man to hospital.

At the hospital, he was determined to have suffered a serious injury.

On July 27, Oceanside RCMP Sergeant Shane Worth clarified that police and BC Ambulance paramedics were dispatched at 6:45 PM on July 18 to the Craig Street Market in Parksville to assist Mr. Boyce, who reportedly told a witness he had been assaulted.

Mr. Boyce left the market before first responders arrived but was found an hour later in Memorial Plaza. He was arrested for allegedly causing a disturbance and detained in cells.

Police have not said why they arrested someone who was allegedly the victim of an assault.

London Police Shoot and Kill Man (35) (July 21, 2023)

London, Ontario, police shot and killed a 35-year-old man on the morning of July 21, 2023. The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) reports that the London Police Service (LPS) received numerous calls regarding a man who was armed with a gun. They also report that the man had undisclosed interactions with members of the public.

Officers were dispatched, and located the man in the garage of a residence on Glenroy Road. There was some type of interaction, and police discharged firearm, striking the man. He was transported to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The SIU has assigned four investigators and two forensic investigators to examine the case. 

Man in Crisis Dies in Fall During Gatineau Police Action (July 11, 2023)

Quebec’s Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes (BEI) is investigating after a man fell to his death at a Gatineau, Quebec hospital during a police action on July 11, 2023.

They report that Gatineau police were called to the Hull Hospital around 1 AM regarding someone causing a disturbance. According to the BEI, police claim they found someone in a usually locked pathology lab. 

Around 1:30 officers claim they noticed the person had a lighter and metal object in their hand. During their interaction the person allegedly broke a window and fell to his death.

Police are not about care and are not an appropriate response for people in crisis.

Man in Distress Dies in Quebec Provincial Police (SQ) Action (July 19, 2023)

Quebec’s Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes (BEI) is investigating the death of a man reported to be in distress during a police action on July 19, 2023.

They report that Sûreté du Québec (SQ) officers responded to a call around 7 PM regarding a person in possible distress inside a home in Cleveland, Quebec, about 115 kilometers east of Montreal.

The BEI claims that when police spotted the man inside the home he allegedly started shooting at the officers, who shot back. The BEI says that after police called for backup they heard a loud bang inside the home. They allegedly found the man unresponsive inside the home, and he was declared dead in hospital.

Man in Distress Dies in Pelican Narrows RCMP Custody (July 16, 2023)

A man, who police have described as being in “medical distress” has died in RCMP custody in Pelican Narrows, Saskatchewan on July 16, 2023, after being transported to hospital. It is reported that the man went into distress at approximately 2:50 PM. His family has been notified. The Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) will investigate the Saskatchewan RCMP’s interaction with the man and the circumstances of his death.

Man (29) in Crisis Dies in Fall During York Police Intervention in Vaughn (July 10, 2023)

The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is investigating the death of a 29-year-old man during a York Regional Police action in Vaughan today. They report that around 10 AM, York Regional Police officers responded to a man in crisis at a high rise on Portage Parkway. When officers attempted to bring the man to safety, he fell from the balcony of the 52nd floor and was killed.

The SIU has assigned three investigators and two forensic investigators to examine the death.

Police are not health care and are not the appropriate response to people experiencing mental health crises.

Man Dies in RCMP Custody in Surrey (July 7, 2023)

The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC is investigating the death of a man in Surrey RCMP custody on July 7, 2023.

They report, based on information provided by the RCMP, that around 7:30 PM, police received reports of a man and woman walking in traffic in the 19300-block of Fraser Highway.

Police claim that when officers arrived they took the man into custody, and he went into medical distress shortly thereafter. He was subsequently pronounced dead at the scene.

Man Dies in Winnipeg Police Custody After Being Tased (July 5, 2023)

A man died in Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) custody after being tased on July 5, 2023.  The Independent Investigation Unit (IIU) reports that the incident occurred at approximately 9:30 AM, when   East District general patrol members located an allegedly stolen vehicle parked near a housing complex on Robson Street. Officers attempted to arrest the lone man in the vehicle and a conducted energy weapon was deployed. Once in custody, the victim became unresponsive and was transported to the St. Boniface Hospital. He was pronounced dead there.

The IIU is investigating. Because this case involves a fatality, the IIU is requesting that the Manitoba Police Commission appoint a civilian monitor.