No charges in 2023 death of Brandon man who was in police custody: Watchdog

Manitoba's police watchdog says it's not pursuing charges in the death of a man who was in police custody in Brandon two years ago.

The Independent Investigation Unit has wrapped up its investigation into the August 2023 death, which a medical examiner said was caused by methamphetamine toxicity.

The man had been arrested for flight from police, breach of release and drug-related offences, and was being held in Brandon Police Service cells. He displayed "unusual behaviour" while he was in custody, the police watchdog said in a news release Wednesday.

The man had fled from Brandon police on a motorcycle after being approached by an officer, who did not pursue him, said the IIU's civilian director's report on the death.

He was later seen running in a ditch, and a foot chase culminated in his arrest on Aug. 19, 2023.

Police reported to the IIU that shortly after the man returned to his camera-monitored cell from a bail hearing, the man was behaving unusually, so officers checked on him and looked around his cell, but the man said he wasn't doing anything.

The civilian director said that based on video footage, it was clear the man lifted up the corner of his cell's mattress and picked up something off the cell floor before the officer checked on him.

A few minutes later, the man was down on the floor, and when an officer checked on him, he said he'd taken an ounce of meth.

The man was coherent and showed no signs of intoxication, police told the IIU, but when he was down on the floor again less than 10 minutes later, an ambulance was called, and Brandon and Fire and Emergency Services responded.

Video footage shows 16 minutes between the first time the man was checked and the ambulance was called, the IIU report says. Medical staff arrived about seven minutes later. 

First responders who attended the scene said the man was convulsing when they arrived.

His condition quickly deteriorated. He was taken to the Brandon Regional Health Centre, where he was declared dead.

Three police officers, five professional witnesses and two civilian witnesses (who were monitoring cell video feeds) provided statements to investigators.

The IIU civilian director did not authorize charges and closed the case.