A man who suffered cardiac arrest while in police custody and later died in hospital did not have a Taser or baton used on him, according to an Abbotsford Police spokesman.
Const. Ian MacDonald, speaking on Saturday, said the only force used on Christopher Leslie Kampman, 37, was related to his being handcuffed and taken into custody.
Kampman died early Sunday morning in hospital. He had been in serious condition since suffering cardiac arrest in the back of a police car on Friday morning.
Kampman was found in the backyard of a home in the 2300 block of Rosewood Drive after police received a report of a prowler just before 3:30 a.m.
MacDonald said two officers arrested Kampman, who was combative and appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. He said Kampman was making incoherent remarks, and one of the officers requested an ambulance. Additional officers arrived to assist.
Kampman was searched and placed in the back of a police car while awaiting the arrival of the ambulance. MacDonald said Kampman “abruptly stopped moving or making sounds.” Officers opened the back doors to the police car and observed that he was no longer conscious.
Police requested the ambulance respond “Code 3” – emergency status.
BC Ambulance staff arrived and determined that Kampman was in cardiac arrest. He was transported to hospital.
The Abbotsford Police Department has asked that the Lower Mainland’s Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) conduct an investigation into the circumstances leading up to Kampman’s arrest and death.
“We need the public to call if they know what he was doing in the days and hours leading up to his death,” said Sgt. Peter Thiessen.
Kampman had no criminal record, according to provincial court records.
Anyone with information is asked to call the IHIT tip line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448).