Police watchdog probes death of man in back of Manitoba RCMP cruiser
Man experienced medical emergency shortly after being arrested: IIU
A man died shortly after being arrested and put into the back seat of an RCMP cruiser last week, prompting an investigation by Manitoba's police watchdog.
RCMP notified the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba of the death on Friday, a news release from the police watchdog said on Monday.
An officer stopped a vehicle on Highway 6 in the rural municipality of St. Laurent around 2:40 p.m. on Jan. 24, the RCMP told the IIU, which investigates serious incidents involving police in Manitoba.
Two men were arrested on matters unrelated to the traffic stop and placed in the rear of a police cruiser, the news release said.
Shortly after, one of the men experienced a medical emergency. The officer called for an ambulance and then checked on the man, who was unresponsive and did not have a pulse, the IIU release said.
The officer performed CPR until paramedics arrived. They continued treating the man for approximately 45 minutes before pronouncing him dead.
A request for a civilian monitor has been made by the IIU to the Manitoba Police Commission because the matter involves a fatality.
No additional information is available as it is an ongoing investigation.