The Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP (CPC) and the RCMP have announced  the Independent Observer Pilot Project will be used to monitor the RCMP investigation into events related to the arrest and subsequent death of a male in Surrey,. on July 31, 2008.

 

22 year old Brandon Whitelaw of Surrey died after being arrested under the Controlled Drug and Substances Act. 

 

Police indicated he had gone into medical distress with “an apparent airway obstruction” . According to the initial police release on the events, “Whitelaw received immediate medical attention at the scene by RCMP and then by Fire Department and EHS. “A plastic bag containing an unknown substance was recovered from the airway of the individual by EHS. The male died a short time later at Surrey Memorial Hospital.”

 

"The inclusion of a CPC independent observer, in respect of this incident, will assist in mitigating any concerns expressed in respect of the impartiality of the RCMP investigation and in doing so promote institutional accountability and credibility as it relates to the investigative process," said CPC Chair Paul E. Kennedy.

 

The CPC observer will assess the impartiality of the RCMP investigative process and participants during initial meetings and will receive regular case briefings throughout.

 

The Independent Observer Pilot Project currently involves only the RCMP's Division in British Columbia ("E" Division), made up of 5,900 regular members and approximately 1,700 civilian members and public service employees.