Victoria police cleared of wrongdoing after man found dead during wellness check
B.C.'s police watchdog has cleared the Victoria Police Department of wrongdoing after officers found a man dead inside his home during a wellness check last year.
On Feb. 9, 2022, Victoria police went to a residential building in the 1900-block of Fort Street after a man's mother called 911 with concerns about her son's wellbeing.
When officers arrived at the man's suite, they tried talking to him through his front door but did not receive an answer, according to the Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of B.C.
A witness, who was described as the man's next-door neighbour, told the IIO that they heard the officers try to communicate with the man through his door.
The neighbour also told police that building staff members had a key to the man's unit, but that no staff members were present because it was the weekend.
Police were able to call a staff member, who said that officers could pick up a key from them in a different part of the city.
One officer stayed at the home while the other officer went to get the key.
In the meantime, another higher ranking officer, a VicPD sergeant, arrived at the scene.
Shortly after the sergeant arrived, they said they could hear a "cry for help" or some sort of moan from inside the unit and decided to break down the door.
Once officers entered the unit, they found the man had died by self-inflicted injuries.
Paramedics arrived soon after and confirmed the man's death, according to the IIO.
IIO DECISION
The IIO is notified whenever a police-involved incident results in serious harm or death.
In this instance, the IIO says it needed to check if police had acted negligently or if they disregarded anyone's safety during their response.
The police watchdog says police adequately weighed the risks of waiting at the man's door versus breaking it down, noting that officers considered breaking into the home earlier but there were concerns that the action could cause a sudden and unpredictable response from the man.
"It is significant that the officers were left with only two options: to wait outside, trying to get a response from [the man] through the locked door, or to kick the door open," said the IIO in its decision released Friday.
After reviewing six civilian witness statements, three police officer statements, security video from the building and police dispatch and 911 audio records, the IIO concluded that the responding officers had acted appropriately and that they had very little chance to intervene in the situation.
"The evidence gathered in this case indicates that when [the man] closed himself in his apartment he had made a firm decision, one that the responding officers were effectively powerless to head off," said the IIO.
The IIO adds that given the extent of the man's injuries, it's unlikely that the outcome would have been different even if police were able to access the unit immediately.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.