Police cleared in Vernon cell incident

RCMP in Vernon have been cleared of wrongdoing over an incident involving a woman arrested and held the detachment’s cells.

The Independent Investigation Office of B.C. said the woman was seen to be in medical distress July 25 while being held overnight prior to a court date.

Emergency Health Services was called, and the woman was taken to hospital.

“The IIO gathered evidence indicating that it was the female’s own actions while in custody that precipitated the medical event which without intervention of the guard and officers on duty could have resulted in her death,” a release from the watchdog agency said. “Medical intervention was provided and after a short stay in hospital, the female was released without injury.”