The Special Investigations Unit has released the name of the man who died yesterday morning in North Bay after an interaction with North Bay Police Service officers.
Gordon Dale Couvrette, a 43-year-old North Bay man, was pronounced dead Thursday morning after the North Bay Police Service reported that he was tasered while being arrested by officers. In accordance with the Special Investigations Unit’s name release policy, consent from next of kin has been given.
For related story: SIU confirms investigation into man’s sudden death after interaction with NBPS officers
Thursday, the NBPS released the following:
On February 22, 2018, at 5:04am a call was received by the North Bay Police Service requesting officers attend a local residence with respect to a domestic disturbance. Shortly after their arrival, the officers attempted to arrest a male person in the residence. While arresting the male person, a conducted energy weapon (Taser) was deployed. An ambulance was requested as the male was observed to be in medical distress. He was taken to the North Bay Regional Health Centre where he was pronounced deceased.
The SIU says it continues to investigate this incident. At this time, one subject officer and seven witness officers have been designated. The post-mortem took place this morning in Sudbury.
The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about this investigation to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529. The Unit is also urging anyone who may have any video evidence related to this incident to upload that video through the SIU website.
The SIU is an arm’s length agency that investigates reports involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault. Under the Police Services Act, the Director of the SIU must:
- consider whether an officer has committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident under investigation
- depending on the evidence, lay a criminal charge against the officer if appropriate or close the file without any charges being laid
- report the results of any investigations to the Attorney General.
