Chief Remains Tight Lipped Regarding Sudden Death In Police Cells

The identity of an individual found deceased in the Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) holding cells remains a mystery and so to do the details of what actually occurred the Moose Jaw Board of Police Commissioners heard on Tuesday afternoon.

“Sadly on October 7th just before 9 in the morning we had an individual pass away suddenly in our detention facility and members had been engaged with that person just moments before. When the death occurred our members started CPR immediately and called the EMS and all of those things were all looked after. However attempts to revive him were unsuccessful,” Chief Bourassa said.

The need for secrecy and inability to comment is due to the on-going investigation into the incident, Chief Rick Bourassa said.

Chief Rick Bourassa during the Board of Police Commissioners meeting Tuesday afternoon - MJ Independent photo

“At the same time we are required under the Police Act and some other processes to do certain things. And one of those is to notify the Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety immediately so they can appoint an independent investigator or investigation observer,” he said, adding “everything is moved to other agencies to oversee this.”

The Regina Police Service (RPS) was asked to take over the investigation which Chief Bourassa said was “very standard” to take over the investigation. Additionally the Saskatchewan Coroner’s Office and the Public Complaints Commission are involved and investigating what happened.

“I know there is always a desire from people to know information immediately and I understand that and they want the information quite quickly. What I can say it would be very irresponsible for us at this time to discuss anything that is in the hands of other bodies. And the information will become public through the proper processes through those bodies. So we can’t release any more information at this time,” he said.

Chief Bourassa said he could not provide any details on when the external bodies would be releasing the results of their investigations but some investigations of this type “can take some time.”

The report was unanimously received and filed by the Board of Police Commissioners without any questions or further comment.

Chjief Bourassa did not take any questions following the public portion of the Tuesday afternoon meeting.