B.C.’s police watchdog has been called in after a man died while in the custody of the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) Friday.
The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) says the police were flagged down shortly before 5:30 p.m. for a man who they say was “causing a disturbance” on East Hastings Street between Columbia and Carrall.
He was taken into custody, and “shortly after” that, he went into medical distress.
Ambulance and fire crews were called in, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
“The IIO was notified of the incident the same day and commenced an investigation,” the IIO said in a news release.
“Initial investigative steps will focus on what role, if any, police actions or inaction may have played in the death.”
The IIO is called in after any police-related incidents that result in death or serious injury, whether or not there are any allegations of wrongdoing.