Investigation
Death of Resident During Psychiatric Detention
Date Published: 2016-02-23
Province: Nova Scotia
Police Agency: RCMP Stellarton
Summary
At approximately 11a.m., on December 16, 2014 a member of the RCMP – Stellarton, Officer 1, responded to a complaint of an assault committed by a resident of the Valley View Villa (the Villa), a long term care facility, against an employee of the Villa. On arrival Officer 1assessed the situation and determined that the resident, a 49year old male, the Affected Person (AP), was suffering from mental illness. He made a decision not to arrest AP. When AP again became uncooperative with staff, Officer 1stepped in and arrested AP under the Involuntary Psychiatric Treatment Act (IPTA). During the arrest AP suddenly became unconscious, and passed away. As a result SiRT was contacted shortly after 1p.m. and assumed responsibility for the investigation into AP’s death. The Director and four investigators attended the scene. The completion of the investigation was delayed by the failure of two witnesses to cooperate with attempts to take statements from them. The investigation was finalize…