A death in Thompson being investigated by the Brandon Police Services involves a 19-year-old male who was found dead outside a residence where Thompson RCMP were responding to an emergency call in the early morning hours of May 16.
Brandon police were asked to assume conduct of an independent investigation of the circumstances surrounding the incident by Manitoba Justice after a request from RCMP.
“Brandon Police Service was asked by Manitoba Justice to attend to Thompson to assist in an investigation of what they were calling an in-custody death,” Brandon Police Service public information officer Sgt. Kevin McLean told the Thompson Citizen May 20.
Following an inquiry to the RCMP’s media relations department regarding a report of someone falling off a balcony at Princeton Towers on May 16, the Citizen was informed that the incident was being investigated by Brandon police.
Brandon Police Service members arrived in Thompson on May 16 and began their investigation, which is continuing. A Brandon Police Service press release said further information would not be released while the investigation continues.
Under a protocol established by Manitoba Justice in 2004, which was signed by most police services in the province, police can request that an outside agency review the results of an investigation or conduct the primary investigation in cases where civilians die or are seriously injured following an interaction with a police officer. The protocol can also be applied to other serious potential criminal offences or events involving a police officer if there is a public interest in activating it.
The decision to request for an external agency to conduct and investigation or review the results of an investigation lies with the police chief or commanding officer of the police service involved. Once that decision is made, the agency must notify the deputy attorney general of Manitoba about the incident and their intent to activate the protocol.
Results of such investigations are reviewed by independent legal counsel appointed by Manitoba Justice, who decide if criminal charges should be laid and, if charges are laid, prosecute those cases.
