The Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) has launched an investigation after a man died while in the custody of the Vancouver Police Department (VPD).
The man was arrested and lodged in a cell at the Vancouver jail around 3pm on June 14th. Around 8am on June 15th, staff at the jail found the man unresponsive.
“Medical personnel provided aid, but the man was pronounced deceased at the scene,” says the IIO in a release.
“The IIO was notified of the incident shortly after it occurred and has commenced an investigation.”
#VPDNews: The Vancouver Police Department has notified the Independent Investigations Office following a death at the VPD Jail.
At approximately 8:00 a.m. on June 15, staff at the VPD Jail discovered a prisoner unconscious. BC Emergency Health Services was called immediately and… pic.twitter.com/j8HP7fItfi
— Vancouver Police (@VancouverPD) June 16, 2026
At the beginning of each investigation, the IIO considers two key factors: whether there has been a death or an injury that meets the threshold of serious harm as defined by the Police Act, and whether there is a connection between the death or serious harm and an officer’s actions or inaction.
“If both conditions are met, the investigation will continue to examine all available evidence to determine what occurred. At the conclusion of the investigation, the chief civilian director will consider whether there are reasonable grounds to believe that an offence may have occurred,” adds the IIO.
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