The office responsible for civilian oversight of police is investigating the death of a woman who suffered serious injuries after falling in her Metchosin home while in the care of a Mountie.
The Independent Investigations Office said the incident occurred Aug. 8, after West Shore RCMP responded to a complaint involving a woman. No details of that complaint were provided.
Officers transported the woman to her home in Metchosin. Once at the residence, while still under the care and control of an officer, the woman fell and sustained serious injuries.
She was hospitalized for treatment, but died in hospital Monday.
The RCMP never issued a statement on the case, and the woman’s name has not been released.
RCMP spokesman Cpl. Darren Lagan said the force is unable to provide any additional details now that the IIO has taken control of the case.
“Once they’ve asserted jurisdiction, there is no comment that comes from us, and that’s our standing practice,” he said.
“They own the investigation at this point.”
IIO spokesman Owen Court said no other information could be released at this time.
Court could not give an estimated timeline for the investigation.
“The commitment is to produce results in a timely manner, but certainly not at the expense of a thorough investigation,” he said.
The B.C. Coroners Office has not released the identity of the woman.
The IIO is civilian-led body that investigates officer-related incidents of death or serious harm in order to determine whether or not an officer may have committed an offence.
— With a file from Amy Smart
