IIO BC informed of Surrey incident by BC RCMP

THE BC RCMP has notified the Independent Investigations Office of British Columbia (IIO BC) of an incident in Surrey that resulted in one woman being hospitalized.

On November 5 at approximately 10:44 p.m., a woman was arrested on an outstanding warrant and transported to the Surrey RCMP Detachment after being cleared by medical personnel at the hospital for incarceration. She was processed, lodged in cells and subsequently remanded.

Just before 1:30 a.m. on November 7, a cell guard noted the woman had fallen from her bunk onto the floor. Upon further assessment the woman was found to be unresponsive and not breathing. An officer and the cell nurse began life saving efforts until these efforts were assumed by BC Emergency Health Services and the Surrey Fire Department.

The woman was transported to a local area hospital in serious condition.

The BC RCMP said that the IIO BC is investigating to determine whether police actions are linked to the woman’s condition. As the matter is now under investigation by the IIO BC, no further information will be released by police.

The IIO BC website: www.iiobc.ca.