Inquest recommends cameras be installed at Emo OPP detachment

Security cameras may be installed at the Emo OPP detachment after a jury recommended such a move following a coroner’s inquest last week.
Dr. John Hammett, of the regional coroner’s office in Thunder Bay, visited the detachment last Wednesday and Thursday to conduct a mandatory inquest into the death of Phillip Kelly.
The 53-year-old Sabaskong First Nation man had hung himself in a cell there last June 22.
Dr. Hammett was unavailable for comment by press time but Dr. David Legge, regional coroner, reported his findings.
“Mr. Kelly died of asphyxiation due to hanging. It’s been ruled as a suicide,” he said.
“Also, a five-person jury made the recommendation that the police look at the feasibility of the installation of security cameras in the cells, with monitors stationed at the guard’s post,” Dr. Legge added.
Fort Frances OPP S/Sgt. Hugh Dennis could not be reached for comment as to whether the OPP have decided to look into installing cameras there.
The OPP detachment here has a security camera by the holding cells.
Dr. Hammett’s findings coincide with those of the Special Investigation Unit’s held days after Kelly’s death. It also ruled his death was suicide, and did not show negligence on the part of the police.
Dr. Legge stressed such an inquiry is not out of the ordinary. “It’s mandatory. When there’s a person dying in detention, we investigate the matter,” he said.
Kelly died after being taken off life support at La Verendrye hospital here on June 23. He had been arrested for public intoxication by Emo OPP after a motorist reported seeing a man staggering on Highway 11/71 near Lash Township around 1 p.m. the previous day.
He was lodged in a cell at 1:46 p.m. for his own safety, said police. Then at 5:30 p.m., a civilian guard doing as routine check found Kelly hanging by the neck in his cell.
Showing no vital signs, CPR immediately was initiated by an officer while an ambulance was en route.
Kelly was taken to La Verendrye hospital and successfully resuscitated that evening, where he remained on life support until late in the night on June 23.