The BCCLA is seeking an independent review into how three men could die in a period of just
ten months in police cells in Saskatoon, a city of 257,000 residents. In comparison, Vancouver, which is twice as large as Saskatoon, has had no deaths in its cells to the knowledge of the Association since the death of Daniel Serbeh on December 7, 2007.

“If three men die in ten months at any facility whose mandate is not primary health care, the government should demand answers,” said Jason Gratl, Vice-President of the BCCLA. “If the Saskatoon police can’t keep their charges alive, Saskatoon residents deserve an independent review that explains why people in custody keep dying and how Police can put a stop to it.”

Christopher Jason Hiebert (September 9, 2009), Brandon Travis Daniels (July 2, 2010), and a
man whose name was not released (July 16, 2010) died in Saskatchewan Police Service
custody between September 2009 and July 2010. Daniels, the most recent death, was a 19-year-old first nations man arrested while visiting friends in Saskatoon. According to media reports, the Saskatoon Police Service recently ordered an internal review of its detention practices in the wake of Daniels’ death.

“All deaths in police custody have a public dimension, but three deaths in the space of less
than a year is a public emergency,” says Gratl. “This problem should not be under wraps.”

Read the BCCLA’s letter to the Saskatchewan Public Complaints Commission here

MEDIA CONTACTS:
David Eby, Executive Director, 778-865-7997
Jason Gratl, Vice-President, 604-317-1919