A jury at a coroner’s inquest has determined that the death of a man from the Lake Babine Nation, while in the custody of Prince George RCMP in 2020, was accidental. The inquest findings revealed that Everett Riley Patrick, aged 42, passed away due to a subdural hemorrhage, or brain bleed, caused by an unidentified blunt force injury.
Patrick died on April 20, 2020, in a hospital after being arrested eight days earlier following a reported break-in at a sporting goods store in downtown Prince George. During the arrest, police utilized tear gas and a police dog, resulting in Patrick sustaining cuts, bruises, and dog bites. Subsequently, he experienced medical distress while in custody, as reported by the Independent Investigations Office, B.C.’s police oversight agency.
In 2022, the IIO suggested charges to Crown counsel. However, the B.C. Prosecution Service announced the following year that no charges would be filed against an RCMP officer in connection with Patrick’s death due to insufficient evidence.
The jury issued five recommendations to B.C.’s Ministry of Public Safety, RCMP E Division, and the City of Prince George. Among the recommendations were enhancements to cell guard training standards to include trauma-informed care, ensuring prompt responses to detainee wellness concerns during cell checks, and implementing cultural sensitivity training for civilian staff at detention facilities.
Specifically aimed at the RCMP were two recommendations: exploring the potential adoption of passive biometric monitoring systems in detention centers to monitor detainee well-being, and providing additional training to staff to differentiate between non-compliance and medical distress in detainees.
During the inquest, Jennifer Alexander, Patrick’s wife, shared insights into his life, highlighting his dedication to his family despite battling addiction issues with drugs and alcohol. Alexander emphasized Patrick’s love for his seven children and three grandchildren, portraying him as a caring family man.
A coroner’s inquest serves as a fact-finding investigation to understand the circumstances surrounding a death and propose preventive measures to avoid similar incidents. Such inquiries are mandatory for deaths occurring while an individual is detained by or in the custody of a peace officer.