La Ronge Provincial Court. File photo by Chelsea Laskowski.
A man who died in RCMP custody in La Ronge two years ago did so as a result of a brain hemorrhage, according to the Chief Coroner’s Office.
The report from the inquest last week calls the death accidental.
Desmond Roberts was found unresponsive in his cell at the La Ronge Detachment on May 31st of 2015, and was taken to the hospital in La Ronge before being transferred to Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, where he died the next day.
The six-person jury has recommended that RCMP officers review medical training and response policies, and that the police service upgrade first aid and CPR training to help prevent further deaths.
It also called for a policy to be introduced to ensure regular documentation of guard logs, and for a review of a staffing policy to ensure proper monitoring of inmates.
The recommendations also call for the local health authority, provincial and federal governments to initiate the development of a Detox Centre with support services available if medical attention is required.
The jury is asking that an RCMP member is always available with the guard/matron.