The Independent Investigation Unit (IIU) has concluded its investigation into the death of a female who was in police custody with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

According to the notification received, on February 1, 2020, Thompson RCMP were dispatched to a report that the female was intoxicated at the McDonald’s restaurant in Thompson, Manitoba and may require medical assistance. RCMP officers attended and Thompson Fire and Emergency Services (TFES) assessed the female and cleared her to be lodged in police custody.

The female was arrested under the Intoxicated Persons Detention Act and was lodged into Thompson RCMP Cell “Tank 3” at approximately 8:15 p.m.

At approximately 11:08 p.m., an RCMP cell guard advised that the female was unresponsive and her lips were blue. RCMP and TFES conducted CPR, however the female was pronounced deceased at 11:35 p.m.

Upon contacting the Thompson General Hospital for Next of Contact information, police learned that two weeks prior the female had been med-evac’d to Winnipeg Health Science Centre for an intracranial brain bleed.

On February 2, 2020, the RCMP notified the IIU of the death of the female that was in police custody.

As this matter concerned the death of a person that may have resulted from the actions of a police officer(s), this matter was a mandatory investigation for which IIU was required to assume responsibility. A team of IIU investigators was assigned to the investigation. Four RCMP officers who were on duty and had contact with the affected person were designated as witness officers, and investigators met with and interviewed four civilian witnesses.

RCMP file material, and other information reviewed by IIU investigators, included:

  • RCMP occurrence summary
  • officers’ general reports, supplementary and notes
  • in-custody death report
  • scene photos
  • video footage from McDonald’s restaurant
  • RCMP in-car and cell video footage
  • FIS report
  • consent for release of medical reports
  • TFES Paramedic Reports
  • medical reports respecting AP
  • autopsy report
  • pathologist report
  • toxicology report.

Following a detailed review of this comprehensive investigation, there is no evidence to support a finding that there is any level of contribution by any police officer, through action or inaction, to the cause of the female’s death. There is no evidence in this matter that would justify the designation of any police officer as a subject officer.