Inquest jury found Desmond Roberts died of brain hemorrhage while in police custody
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After hearing three days of testimony, a six-member jury determined the death of Desmond Roberts was accidental and caused by a brain hemorrhage. The 43-year old was found unresponsive in his cell at the La Ronge RCMP detachment on May 31, 2015. He was taken to hospital in La Ronge and then to Saskatoon’s Royal University where he died the next day.
The jury also made six recommendations to help prevent a similar situation in the future. The first three recommendation were directed at the RCMP and suggested members annually review medical training and how to handle and escort prisoners. Recommendations also suggested upgrading current training to annual re-certification of First Aid and CPR.
The jury also asked the federal or provincial governments or the health region to initiate the development of a detox centre with support services available if medical attention is required. It also recommended a policy review to address staffing presence to ensure the proper monitoring of inmates and a policy to implement regular documentation of guard and matron logs.
panews@jpbg.ca
