The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC has concluded an investigation into the death of a man in Williams Lake and determined police actions were not responsible for the man’s death.
Shortly after 9 p.m. on July 26, 2022, two officers were approached by a pedestrian concerned for the wellness of a man in Boitanio Park.
A medical professional who happened to be nearby and came over to see if help was needed observed the officers’ conversation with the man.
He noted that the man appeared to be well and was not in any medical distress and video footage confirms that the officers departed the park shortly thereafter.
Then at approximately 11:45 p.m., the officers were flagged by two civilians and told there was a deceased man in Boitanio Park.
Upon locating the man, he was determined to be the same man the officers had spoken to earlier in the evening, and the IIO was notified as a death had occurred.
As the independent civilian oversight agency of the police, the IIO investigates all officer-related incidents that result in serious harm or death, whether or not there is any allegation of wrongdoing.
The Chief Civilian Director has reviewed the evidence – including video footage, civilian witness statements, medical information, and police records – and determined that neither police actions nor inactions were responsible for the man’s death.
The IIO investigation is now concluded.
