British Columbia’s police watchdog has identified deficiencies in prisoner care that contributed to the death of an Indigenous man in Smithers RCMP custody nearly four years ago. The man was apprehended by RCMP for aggravated assault related to a home invasion on September 1, 2022.

The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) report revealed that the man died by suicide in his cell while the guard tasked with monitoring him was observed either dozing off or turning away from surveillance screens. The investigation also disclosed that mandatory safety checks were not consistently conducted at the Smithers RCMP detachment as required by policy.

IIO Chief Civilian Director Jessica Berglund stated in the report that the man’s death was tragic and preventable, although there were no reasonable grounds to suspect officers had committed an offense.

The report highlighted that the last physical check on the man occurred at 7:57 a.m. on September 4, with no subsequent checks until he was found unresponsive 13 hours later. Despite being monitored via video after receiving a meal, the man was later seen unresponsive on camera.

According to the report, a jail guard admitted to the routine failure of staff to perform physical checks, despite the policy mandating it. The guard had warned a colleague about the man’s changed behavior and the need for increased vigilance.

It was revealed that physical checks had not been consistently carried out at the Smithers detachment for 26 years, despite policy requirements. The detachment was facing staffing shortages at the time, with an acting sergeant and detachment commander in place.

The report indicated that the detachment lacked a system to ensure regular physical cell checks and had not conducted the required six-month refresher training. Following the incident, the detachment implemented improved guard training, enhanced monitoring of cell checks, better record-keeping practices, and increased guard staffing.

Berglund emphasized that multiple failures in cell block operations were evident at the time of the man’s death, pointing out negligence in prisoner care by detachment officers. She clarified that while there were shortcomings in care standards, they did not meet the threshold for criminal negligence causing death under Canadian law.

The IIO highlighted the significance of adequate care for detainees, especially in light of the 15 deaths occurring in custody or during hospital transfers from 2019 to 2023, with seven of the deceased being Indigenous individuals.

For those in need of support, resources such as the Suicide Crisis Helpline and mental health services are available for assistance.