107.5 KISSFM Pete McIntyreRCMP say two investigations have cleared their officers of wrongdoing in a fatal police shooting last year in Vernon. A three day coroner's inquest into the death of Christopher Klim began today at the Vernon court house. The 24 year old Klim was shot twice by police in his apartment last December after he refused to drop a knife. The first shot hit him in the stomach and wasn't fatal, but the second bullet went through his heart and killed him.RCMP spokesperson Annie Linteau told the media, says three investigations were held into the fatality."Well, basically both the South East District Major Crime Unit and an independent officer review (by a Calgary police officer) deemed the force used in this case was appropriate."
A third investigation by the Public Complaints Commission will be released after the inquest. Police had gone to arrest Klim on a mental health warrant after he refused to take his medication for schizophrenia. Vernon's RCMP Inspector hopes the inquest will help law enforcement agencies better deal with people with mental health issues. Steve McVarnock says it's an issue affecting all police detachments. "Mental illness is on the rise, as is drug addictions and a lot of times they fall hand in hand so it's a different arena for law enforcement and the community to deal with. A tragic incident like this is only going to enhance the community's ability to deal with future such cases."The inquest was told Klim had a history of suicide attempts and police were trying to arrest him to take him to the psychiatric ward at Vernon Jubilee Hospital.
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