Inquest into 2022 death of man in Moose Jaw police cell set for April

Moose Jaw City Hall can be seen in this file photo. (Cole Davenport/CTV News)

The dates have been set for the public inquest into the death of Ioan Pop, who died while in the custody of the Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS).

The inquest will be held from Monday, April 27 to May 1 at the Court of King’s Bench in Moose Jaw.

Pop, who was 51, was found unresponsive in his cell at MJPS on Dec. 31, 2022. Paramedics were called and staff attempted life-saving measures. Pop was taken to Dr. F.H Wigmore Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

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The Coroners Act dictates that an inquest is required whenever someone dies while in custody, unless the coroner is satisfied the death was due to entirely natural causes and was not preventable.

The goal of the inquest is to establish the facts surrounding the victim’s death. The coroner’s jury has the ability to make recommendations to prevent similar deaths in the future.

The inquiry will begin at 10 a.m. on April 27, with subsequent start times being determined by the presiding coroner.