BC Civil Liberties Association Calls for Action Following Findings on Police Response
A coroner’s inquest into the death of Haida Elder Jimmie Johannesson has concluded with renewed scrutiny over how police respond to wellness checks involving people experiencing mental health crises. The findings have prompted Johannesson’s sister, Ruby Marks, and the BC Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) to call for government action on recommendations aimed at improving police practices and reducing risks during similar situations.
The inquest, held on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and səlilwətaɬ Nations in Vancouver, examined the circumstances surrounding the April 8, 2022, death of Johannesson, a 61-year-old Haida man who was killed during an RCMP wellness check at his Surrey home.
Evidence presented during the proceedings raised concerns about whether Surrey RCMP officers fully used available resources and less intrusive approaches before entering Johannesson’s residence. The BCCLA and Marks are urging the Director of Policing and Law Enforcement Services, the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, the Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, and the Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction to support implementation of the jury’s recommendations.
Inquest Identifies Gaps in RCMP Planning and Communication
Officers Did Not Seek Key Background Information Before Response
The inquest found that when Johannesson’s probation officer contacted Surrey RCMP to request a wellness check, officers did not attempt to gather additional background information during the 13-minute period between dispatch and arrival at his residence.
According to testimony, this information could have provided important context about Johannesson’s mental health condition and helped officers develop a more informed response plan.
The proceedings also examined the approach taken by officers once they arrived at the home. Witness testimony indicated that officers spent limited time planning their entry, and some officers could not recall the details of the plan afterward. The least experienced officers were assigned to enter the residence, while the supervising Sergeant remained outside at the back of the home.
Two members of the Police Mental Health Outreach Team (PMHOT), who arrived after the initial responding officers, testified that although the specialized mental health resource was available, they did not contribute to or influence the response strategy already established.
Concerns Raised Over Use of De-escalation Measures
The inquest highlighted several opportunities where alternative approaches could have been considered. Officers were dispatched after Johannesson’s cellphone location indicated he was at the residence, but testimony showed that officers did not attempt to call his phone to establish contact before entering the home.
The physical layout of the residence also became a central issue during testimony. Officers entered through a small, crowded entrance that one officer described as a “fatal tunnel” because of the tactical limitations it created. The confined space affected officers’ ability to use less-lethal options.
One PMHOT officer testified that he entered with a taser drawn but did not deploy it because he was positioned behind other officers and risked striking fellow officers.
The inquest also examined the decision to use a civilian witness to unlock Johannesson’s door while officers believed he might have access to a firearm. The civilian witness and four officers became “bunched together” in a narrow entryway near stairs, creating safety concerns and limiting their ability to retreat or respond.
Family and Advocacy Groups Call for Police Reform
Ruby Marks, Johannesson’s sister, said the inquest findings reinforced the need for stronger collaboration between police services and First Nations communities.
“I wish the police officers involved would have taken the time to get more background information about Jimmie’s mental health before entering his home. I wish they would have taken the time to call his cell phone first. 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. Overall, I am happy with the jury recommendations. There needs to be more collaboration with First Nations when it comes to police reform. I hope the government implements these recommendations in a meaningful way to prevent future harms.”
Latoya Farrell, Policy Staff Counsel with the BC Civil Liberties Association, said wellness checks require careful consideration of how police presence can affect people experiencing crisis.
“For many people, the very presence of a police officer is a form of escalation. It is far easier to escalate the use of force than to de-escalate once tensions are high. Jimmie was already in a heightened state of mental health crisis. There were several actions the officers could have taken first to better inform their response, but they didn’t. It was incumbent on these officers to consider how their presence in Jimmie’s home would increase the stress of the situation. It took 23 seconds between the time Surrey RCMP entered Jimmie’s home and the time he was killed. No one should die because of a wellness check.”
Background on the 2022 Incident
On the morning of April 8, 2022, Surrey RCMP officers were dispatched to Johannesson’s home after he told his probation officer he wished to harm himself in public.
After arriving, officers and a civilian entered the residence. Johannesson was located in a room at the end of a hallway. Following a brief exchange, he moved toward officers while holding a knife, leading them and the civilian to leave the residence. An RCMP officer fired five shots, resulting in Johannesson’s death.
The Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) later investigated the incident and released its final report on August 1, 2024. The IIO found no reasonable grounds to believe an officer committed an offence.
However, the agency emphasized the importance of considering that a person’s home can represent a place of physical and psychological security. The IIO noted that confronting someone inside their home can increase stress and recommended that police agencies develop training to ensure officers consider these factors when responding to individuals in crisis.
The coroner’s inquest has now renewed discussion about police wellness check practices, mental health response resources, and the need for approaches focused on reducing harm during crisis situations.