The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. has been dispatched to Penticton to investigate the death of a man in the holding cells of the local RCMP detachment this morning.
Keremeos RCMP arrested a 55-year-old man just after 7 a.m. for outstanding warrants during a traffic stop. The man was sent to the Penticton RCMP where he was lodged in cells, to be later transported to court.
“During a routine check conducted just after 9 a.m. the man was found unresponsive in his cell,” said Sgt. Janelle Shoihet in a news release. “Officers began and continued resuscitation efforts until paramedics arrived. The male was transported to a local area hospital but was pronounced deceased shortly thereafter.”
The IIO BC has now launched an investigation to determine whether “actions or inactions” of the RCMP are linked to the man’s death. Nothing further is being released by police.