IIO to probe whether Kamloops RCMP response to mental health check was appropriate

KAMLOOPS — B.C.’s police watchdog has confirmed it is looking into an incident in the Aberdeen area of Kamloops Monday night (Oct. 24). Witnesses in the area reported seeing a large police presence on Pacific Way yesterday evening.

Chief Civilian Director with the Independent Investigations Office (IIO), Ron McDonald could only provide limited details into the incident as the investigation is still in it’s infancy, but did confirm police were called for a mental health check.

“The police received a call about a distraught male, and the call included an allegation that he may have a weapon and that there was concern about the person’s mental wellness. Police responded to that, and had to deal with that male and in doing so there was an interaction between the police and the male and he was injured,” said McDonald.

In a subsequent news release, RCMP said their officers were called to a report of a man making threats of violence.

When officers arrived, the subject held a weapon and yelled obscenities at them.

After several hours’ attempts to engage the subject, RCMP say he sustained serious injuries from “self-inflicted actions.”

He was eventually taken into custody and transported to hospital for medical care.

The IIO investigates to determine if a civilian is injured due to action or in-action by police. McDonald stated that the individual did suffer significant injuries but is expected to make a recover. Initial reports given to the IIO say the injuries were self-inflicted.

“Our investigation will determine all the facts around this. In particular, we’ll determine the response of the police, we are to determine what caused the injuries. We will determine what actions if any the police took and if they were appropriate, that type of thing,” added McDonald.