DAWSON CREEK, B.C - The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. (IIO) has concluded that there are no reasonable grounds to believe RCMP officers may have committed offence under the law involving the June 20, 2024 arrest of a man in Dawson Creek, who died following a violent confrontation with police.

The decision, released Thursday, closes a more than two-year investigation that drew scrutiny over its lengthy timeline and left both the man’s family and officers awaiting answers.

The report identifies the deceased only as the “Affected Person,” but CJDC TV News reported in June 2026 that sources had identified him as Michael Viczko, The IIO decision does not publicly name the man.

When CJDC TV News examined the case in June 2026, more than two years after the incident, questions remained about why the IIO investigation had not been completed.

At the time, the agency told CJDC it was aware of the emotional strain delays can place on families and officers, but declined to provide a timeline for its investigation.

CJDC also reported that a source alleged that Viczko may have been seriously assaulted and possibly drugged before any interaction with police.

According to the source, that information had been shared with investigators early in the process. CJDC noted then that those claims had not been independently confirmed.

The newly released IIO report does not confirm that allegation. However, IIO investigators did determine that Viczko had been involved in a violent altercation shortly before police encountered him and that toxicology findings played a significant role in his death.

Weapons complaint led to police response

According to the IIO, Dawson Creek RCMP received a 911 call around 7:30 a.m. on June 20, 2024 reporting a fight near 104 Avenue and 8 Street.

Witnesses described people screaming, threatening one another and deploying bear spray. The caller also reported seeing what appeared to be firearms.

When officers arrived, they located various weapons, including knives, bear spray and a CO2-powered rifle designed to fire crossbow bolts.

The man later identified as Viczko had already left the scene. A passing motorist pointed him out walking southbound along Highway 2 toward the 7-Eleven and gas station on 8 Street.

Two RCMP officers intercepted him near the gas pumps and advised he was being detained as part of a weapons investigation.

The IIO said the man (Viczko) was initially uncooperative and refused commands to remove his hands from his pockets. When officers attempted to place him in handcuffs, a struggle erupted.

Lengthy struggle captured on video

The decision describes an extended physical confrontation that lasted more than seven minutes.

Investigators reviewed surveillance footage, cellphone video, witness statements, police records, medical records and the autopsy report.

According to the IIO, video showed the man actively resisting arrest, fighting with officers and repeatedly preventing them from securing handcuffs.

The report states that during the struggle the man bit three officers, injuring at least two. One officer’s thumb was reportedly trapped in the man’s mouth, while another officer suffered a bite that broke the skin through his uniform.

Video evidence also showed one officer delivering ‘eight of more punches’ toward the man’s face or upper body while attempts were being made to gain control of him.

Witnesses interviewed by the IIO similarly recalled officers punching the man during the confrontation.

Several civilian witnesses described the man as aggressive, resisting arrest and fighting with police. Others recalled hearing officers repeatedly order him to stop resisting.

Medical emergency followed arrest

Once officers succeeded in handcuffing the man, they had discovered he had become unresponsive.

Officers summoned medical assistance and immediately began life-saving efforts, including CPR and use of an automated external defibrillator.

Paramedics then transported him to hospital before he was transferred to Edmonton for intensive care. He died the following day.

An autopsy found multiple superficial facial injuries and abrasions, but concluded those injuries alone were not sufficient to cause death.

Instead, the cause of death was found to be methamphetamine and cocaine toxicity occurring in the context of physical exertion, struggle and restraint during the police encounter.

The pathologist noted there may have been a compressional asphyxia component, but investigators could not determine precisely how long any compression occurred. The manner of death was ultimately classified as undetermined.

No charges recommended

After examining the evidence, Chief Civilian Director Jessica Berglund concluded officers had lawful grounds to arrest the man because they reasonably believed he had been involved in a violent weapons-related incident minutes earlier.

The decision found the man’s resistance escalated into a violent struggle and included assaults on officers.

While punches to the head are generally considered a higher level of force, Berglund wrote that blunt-force injuries were not identified as a significant causal factor in the outcome.

The report concludes the force used by officers was not excessive or unjustified and states there are no reasonable grounds to believe any officer committed a criminal offence.

The case will not be forwarded to the BC Prosecution Service for charge assessment.

CJDC TV News reached to the Dawson Creek RCMP. Mounties declined to comment on the report.

The decision, released October 1, 2026, formally closes IIO file 2024-135 and ends one of the longest-running police watchdog investigations involving Dawson Creek RCMP in recent years.