After conducting an investigation, British Columbia's Police Complaints Commissioner is recommending a public inquiry into the death of a Native man who was being held in police custody.

A videotape released to Frank Paul's family shows police dragging him out of the police station and leaving him in an alley. Paul, 47, a member of the Big Cove First Nation in New Brunswick, later died of hypothermia.

In response to the incident, commissioner Dirk Ryneveld released a lengthy decision document. "The troubling circumstances of Mr. Paul�s tragic death are still, now some five years later, in need of a full public examination to determine what factors led to his death and how a similar tragedy may be avoided in the future," he wrote.

Get the Story:
Commissioner calls for inquiry into man's death (CBC 1/20)

Relevant Documents:
Frank Joseph Paul: REASONS FOR DECISION (January 20, 2004)

Related Stories:
B.C. police reopen probe into death of Native man (06/25)
Native family wants inquiry into son's death (06/09)