A coroner’s inquest has made recommendations to improve safety while transporting people in custody.
Lonnie Carr died due to drug-induced cardiac arrest while in sheriff custody in April 2023.
A two-day inquest was held in Fredericton this week, where jurors heard details about Carr’s death.
After hearing from half a dozen witnesses, the jury members made a total of seven recommendations.
To RCMP:
- Thresholds for conducting personal searches should be lowered.
- A more thorough inspection of medication and personal items should be conducted.
To sheriffs:
- Cameras should be installed in all vehicles to monitor passengers.
- Vehicles should be checked before and after transfers or moves.
- Prior warning should be provided to Ambulance NB for transfers involving a person with a high medical risk.
- Personal items should not be allowed during transfers.
To Ambulance NB:
- The 20-minute wait on-site to stabilize patients, which is the current policy, should be made at the discretion of the emergency medical technician.
Recommendations will be forwarded to the appropriate agencies for consideration and response.
An inquest allows for the public presentation of all evidence relating to a death. It does not make any finding of legal responsibility, nor does it assign blame.
