Police watchdog concludes investigation into death of Fernie man

A police watchdog investigation into a man’s death in Fernie over the summer has concluded there was no fault on the part of the RCMP.

In a news release, the Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) says a man was found dead July 11th and it was later learned he’d been reported missing and had had a previous interaction with police.

That sparked a required investigation in which the chief civilian director reviewed evidence collected by IIO investigators – including witness accounts, police reports and medical information.

The director has determined there is no connection between police actions or inaction and the man’s death.

The IIO is the Independent civilian oversight agency of the police in British Columbia.

It investigates all officer-related incidents that result in serious harm or death, whether or not there is any allegation of wrongdoing.