A coroner's inquest jury is recommending a body similar to B.C.'s civilian-based police watchdog be established for municipal cell guards in answer to the overdose death of a former Prince George woman while in police custody.
The jury found the death of Samantha Nicole Patrick was accidental and issued five recommendations to prevent similar deaths in the future.
Among them, the jury urged the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General create an independent oversight body similar to the Independent Investigations Office to oversee, investigate and hold accountable municipal cell guards, including those working in cells at RCMP detachments.
The jury also recommended the ministry upgrade and standardize training for municipal cell guards in relation to first aid, administering naloxone and managing aggressive behaviour.
Patrick died on hospital on May 12, 2018, five days after she found not breathing while in Surrey RCMP holding cells where she had been detained after being arrested on three outstanding warrants.
An investigation into the death by the IIO found that Patrick concealed a small packet of drugs including fentanyl and went into medical distress after appearing to ingest the drugs while in her cell.
The jury also recommended that Allouette Correctional Centre for Woman receive detainees seven day per week, have detainees wear electronic devices similar to Fitbits to monitor their health metrics while in municipal cells and to create a committee to review the safety and comfort of both detainees and staff at Surrey cells.
The finding and recommendations were issued on Friday, July 28, following a four-day inquest in Burnaby.
