Complaints Commission initiates investigation into adequacy of actions taken by RCMP related to the in-custody death of Charlene Danais

Ottawa - 2011-08-11

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Ian McPhail, Q.C., Interim Chair of the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP (Commission), has initiated a complaint into the adequacy of the actions taken by RCMP members during the arrest and subsequent detention of Charlene Danais, 28, in Assumption, Alberta, on August 6 and 7, 2011.

Ms. Danais was found unresponsive in RCMP cells during the early morning hours of August 7, 2011, and was pronounced dead after being transported to hospital in High Level, Alberta. An autopsy was unable to determine the cause of death. Toxicology tests are pending.

This complaint is being initiated to examine whether RCMP policies and procedures were followed in the handling of Ms. Danais during her arrest and period in custody. The goal of the Commission is to identify and recommend improvements, where appropriate, to RCMP training, policies or procedures.

For more information, please contact:

Jamie Robertson, Director of Communications
613-952-3738
jamie.robertson@cpc-cpp.gc.ca

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