B.C. coroner's jury recommends overhaul of police wellness-check protocols
Inquest into death of 61-year-old Haida man shot by RCMP during mental health check calls for statewide standards and better mental health officer integration.
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A coroner's jury has recommended sweeping changes to how police conduct wellness checks after an inquest into the death of Jimmie Johannesson, a 61-year-old Haida man shot by RCMP outside a Surrey rooming house in April 2022.
Johannesson had been living in the Whalley neighbourhood and was facing eviction after a stroke left him hospitalized and homeless for at least a week. His probation officer called police for a wellness check after he made threats, but officers arrived without calling his phone or consulting the probation officer for background information. The interaction lasted 23 seconds before Johannesson, armed with a large knife, was shot five times.
The jury made seven recommendations, including that the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General ensure police conduct ongoing risk assessments throughout mental health checks and are aware of when lethal force protocols apply. The province should also ensure mental health outreach officers integrate standardized mental health training, and that all officers involved in Independent Investigations Office probes be informed of IIO recommendations.
Ruby Marks, Johannesson's sister, said she wished officers had gathered background information on his mental health before entering the home. "I wish they would have taken the time to call his cellphone first," she said. "I keep thinking if the mental health outreach team had been more involved in developing the response plan, maybe my brother would still be here."
The B.C. Civil Liberties Association, which attended the inquest, noted that officers took minimal time to plan their approach and that the senior officer was posted at the back of the home while two mental health outreach team members did not contribute to planning. The association pointed out that for many people, the presence of a police officer is itself a form of escalation.
Both the Public Safety and Housing ministries said they will review the recommendations and assess what changes are needed.
Will the province commit to timelines for implementing these recommendations, or are they optional?
What specific training standards will be required for mental health outreach officers?
How many wellness checks happen each year in B.C., and how often do they escalate to use of force?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
Who was Jimmie Johannesson?
Jimmie Johannesson was a 61-year-old Haida man shot by RCMP outside a Surrey rooming house in April 2022 during a wellness check. He had been living in the Whalley neighbourhood and was facing eviction after a stroke.
How long did the police interaction last before Johannesson was shot?
The interaction lasted 23 seconds before Johannesson, armed with a large knife, was shot five times by RCMP officers.
How many recommendations did the coroner's jury make?
The jury made seven recommendations, including that police conduct ongoing risk assessments during mental health checks and that mental health outreach officers receive standardized mental health training.
