Call for outside review of man's death

The B.C. Civil Liberties Association says an independent review is needed, after a man was shot in the head a week ago while in RCMP custody in northwestern B.C.

Ian Bush, 22, died on Oct. 29 after a violent struggle with an RCMP officer at the Houston detachment.

Bush's family says police have only told them that he died from a gunshot wound to the head.

But the BCCLA says the family and the public have a right to know exactly what happened. And it's filing a complaint with the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP, a civilian oversight group.

"Police have a tough job but when there's such tragic consequences, police's conduct needs to be assessed," says the BCCLA's Murray Mollard.

"There should be a thorough, fair review of RCMP conduct when these kind of incidents arise. You know, we give police tremendous powers and authority, but they need to always remain accountable to the citizenry."

• LINK: BCCLA background on police accountability

The RCMP and the coroner are doing their own investigation into the shooting. But Mollard says the public complaints commission should do its own review every time someone dies in police custody.

"You need to have the review on an individual basis so at least you can begin to see if there are concerns about patterns, you can begin to establish those patterns, if there are problems on a more systemic level."

A memorial service will be held on Saturday in Houston. Bush's grieving relatives have set up a fund in his honour to be used for legal fees.