The Saint John Law Courts building. Image: Brad Perry

Death in police custody leads to coroner’s inquest

Bryan Tait June 19, 2026 1:48 pm Last Updated on June 19, 2026 1:48 pm

A coroner’s inquest in July will investigate the death of a man in police custody.

Dennis Johnson was arrested for public intoxication by Codiac Regional RCMP on Nov. 19, 2022.

According to findings of the Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT), Johnson went into medical distress while in a cell and police performed CPR until paramedics arrived.

Johnson was taken to hospital and died on Nov. 23, 2022.

SiRT’s investigation found “no reasonable grounds to believe that members of the Codiac Regional RCMP committed a criminal offence” relating to Johnson’s death.

The inquest is scheduled for July 20 to 24 in Saint John.

A release from the Department of Justice and Public Safety said deputy chief coroner Michael Johnston and a jury will hear evidence to determine the facts around the death.

The jury will also have an opportunity to make recommendations intended to prevent similar deaths in the future.

Author

Bryan Tait

Bryan Tait is an award-winning journalist based in New Brunswick. He’s a 2008 graduate of St. Thomas University’s journalism program, and a 2021 graduate of the University of New Brunswick’s law program. Contact Bryan at taitb@radioabl.ca.