Skip to content

Police watchdog concludes officers were not responsible for man’s death in Surrey arrest

On June 28, 2021, officers responded to reports of a man behaving erratically
26827138_web1_IIO
(File photo: Black Press)

B.C.’s police watchdog has concluded its investigation into a death in Surrey.

On June 28 around 12:30 a.m., police responded to several reports of a man “behaving erratically in the Newton area,” according to information provided to the Independent Investigation Office of B.C. by RCMP.

READ ALSO: Police watchdog investigating Surrey man’s death, June 28, 2021

The initial release notes officers were able to find the man in a yard at a residence in the 6900-block of 134A Street. IIO adds the initial release incorrectly reported the address.

IIO said he was taken into custody “due to concerns for his well-being.”

Shortly after he was taken into custody, IIO said the man reportedly went into medical distress.

B.C. Emergency Health Services were called but were unable to attend immediately, so police and Surrey Fire Service helped until BCEHS arrived a short time later to take him to hospital.

IIO added the man’s condition “further deteriorated” while on the way to the hospital and he was pronounced dead when he arrived.

Medical evidence, according to the watchdog on Oct. 13, “confirms that the man sustained no significant injuries when arrested by police, and none that contributed to his death.”

IIO chief civilian director Ronald MacDonald reviewed the evidence and “determined that the actions of police were not responsible for the man’s death.”

The IIO adds “significant efforts to provide medical assistance were made, but unfortunately those efforts were unsuccessful in saving the man’s life.”

READ ALSO: Police watchdog to investigate second death in five days after Surrey RCMP arrests, July 5, 2021



lauren.collins@surreynowleader.com

Like us on Facebook Follow us on Instagram and follow Lauren on Twitter



Lauren Collins

About the Author: Lauren Collins

I'm a provincial reporter for Black Press Media's national team, after my journalism career took me across B.C. since I was 19 years old.
Read more