A recent coroner's inquest into a man’s death has resulted in several recommendations being made for local police, the City of Kamloops, Interior Health and provincial ministers.
In June, the BC Coroners Service (BCCS)said it would be holding an inquest into the death of Randy Dale Lampreau starting July 22.
The BCCS received the report of Lampreau’s, 49, death on Mar. 13, 2019 and following “events” involving the RCMP.
According to the Independent Investigations Office of BC, RCMP officers arrested him for being intoxicated. He was arrested shortly before 10 pm on Mar. 12, 2019 and by 5:46 am he was found unresponsive in his cells.
Three investigators were deployed to Kamlops on Mar. 13, 2019.
By that July, the IIO released a full report into the investigation and determined the RCMP had “no worng-doing” in the death of a man in police custody.
Regardless, inquiries by the BCCS are mandatory for any deaths that happen while a person was detained by or in the custody of a peace officer.
From July 22 to July 26, Kimberly Isbister, presiding coroner, and a jury heard evidence from witnesses to determine the facts surrounding Lampreau’s death.
“Immediately undertake a comprehensive review of RCMP policies, practice and
procedures pertaining to prisoner wellness and jail block operation including but not
limited to increase consistency and training pertaining to :
visualizing breathing as a sole means of confirming life of prisoners;
the use of light settings to high during 15 minute checks;
assessments of prisoner wellness after falls and injuries inside cells;
regularly scheduled drills of emergency situations;
regularly review and upgrade of technology used to monitor and document prisoners wellness including but not limited to digital logbooks and intercom systems.
The second recommendation is to hire and “sufficiently” staff the Kamloops RCMP detachment jail cell block with mental health care professionals, including registered nurses, to assess that prisoners are ”medically” suitable to be placed in cells.
The third recommendation is to hire an Indigenous liaison to work with Indigenous people who interact with the detachment.
One recommendation was directed to the Minister of Health, the Minister of Mental Health and Addiction, Interior Health Authority and the City of Kamloops.
That was to immediately allocate funding and resources towards the opening of a sobering centre in Kamloops.
One recommendation was made to the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General.
“Urgently prioritize to ensure timely development and implementation of regulations, policies, and standards as they relate to the Police Amendment Act pertaining to transitioning municipal jail guards into safety officers,” the recommendation said.
A coroner’s inquest is meant to make recommendations, where appropriate and supported by evidence, to prevent deaths in similar circumstances.
