Cases

Background

The IIO is committed to transparency through public reporting and is aware of previous recommendations made to public bodies regarding transparency. For example, the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP made a recommendation to the RCMP to provide regular, meaningful and timely updates to the media and public, specifically regarding police-involved shootings. Although the IIO is newly established and is still in the process of developing performance measures, the organization will endeavor to provide regular, meaningful and timely updates on the status of investigations wherever possible.

This investigative status chart is intended to provide general information related to the timelines of each investigation and does not represent specific investigative plans, activities or tasks.  The chart will be updated on a bi-weekly basis.  

Click here for Public Reports on closed investigations

Commonly Asked Questions

Are Preliminary Investigations included in this chart?

No. Preliminary Investigations are circumstances where the IIO initiated an investigation but subsequently determined that legal jurisdiction was not sustained. Circumstances could include investigators determining that the injuries did not meet the statutory definition of serious harm or that a relationship between the incident and an officer was not established.

What is an investigative task?

A task is a single investigative activity usually assigned to an individual investigator. The assignment of tasks ensures an organized method of investigating in accordance with Major Case Management principles. For example, an investigator may be assigned the task of conducting an interview of a witness to an incident.

The assignment and completion of tasks is an ongoing process in an investigation. At any time during an investigation, tasks may be newly assigned, in progress, or submitted and awaiting approval. An assigned task is submitted, reviewed and approved before it is considered complete. The chart will indicate the percentage of completed tasks (i.e., the percentage will indicate 0% complete until initial tasks have been reviewed and approved). The percentage of completed tasks may fluctuate as new tasks are generated during an investigation.

Why are there investigations that are open for a period of time but that have no tasks assigned?

It is important to note that the chart reflects the date that the IIO was notified, not necessarily when the IIO asserted jurisdiction or deployed resources. By asserting jurisdiction, we mean the IIO having the legal authority to initiate or take over an investigation into an incident.

Once jurisdiction has been sustained, tasks will not show on this chart until they have been completed and approved. By jurisdiction sustained, we mean that after preliminary investigation, the injuries are confirmed to meet the definition of serious harm AND the incident WAS officer related.

If an investigation shows that no tasks have been assigned, it is likely that their completion is underway and/or pending approval by a supervisor.

Why might an investigation be closed prior to all of the tasks being completed?

Some tasks are administrative in nature and cannot be completed until after the Chief Civilian Director (CCD) has rendered a decision. These would be tasks that do not affect the CCD’s decision. An example is when personal effects may be returned to an affected person or their family.

There are other circumstances when the CCD may close an investigation prior to a complex third party report being completed. An example of that could be lengthy medical and pathology reports that relate to an affected person’s cause of death. It may be that tasks remain outstanding due to other proceedings like a Coroner’s Inquest.

What types of tasks may be assigned after an investigation has been referred to Crown?

After reviewing a completed IIO investigation, Crown may request additional information that would result in new tasks being created. Tasks might include the need for additional or follow up interviews with witnesses or obtaining specialized analysis and/or reports.

What types of tasks may be assigned after Crown has decided not to proceed with charges, or after the CCD has issued a Public Report?

Follow up tasks associated to the return of evidence or other non-investigative activities may take place after a file is complete.

Why are some investigations concluded in less time than others?

IIO investigations vary in complexity.  The more complex an investigation is, the longer it will take to complete.  Some investigations require extensive forensic examinations.  Incidents that occur in a public location with numerous witnesses may take longer to investigate versus incidents where there are fewer involved persons.

Others may be impacted by concurrent investigations. By concurrent investigations, we mean those conducted by the police service regarding the affected person at the same time as the IIO investigation into the actions of the officer(s).

What is the difference between an investigation that is closed and one that has been reported to Crown?

IIO investigations that have been referred to Crown remain open as they are subject to an assessment by Crown counsel and potentially, a subsequent court process. Once Crown has returned a “no charge” decision, the investigation would be considered closed. IIO investigations are closed once no further investigations or other processes will be conducted.