CCD to Appoint Indigenous Civilian Monitor Regarding Meares Island Death (2021-046)
Case: 2021-046 Incident Date: February 27, 2021 Location: Meares Island Agency: RCMP Detachment: Tofino Incident Classification: Death Case Status: Closed - With Public ReportINFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release
Surrey, B.C. – The Chief Civilian Director (CCD) of the Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC will appoint an Indigenous civilian monitor regarding the IIO investigation into the officer-involved shooting death of a man in the Opitsaht community on Meares Island.
In consultation with First Nation’s leadership, CCD MacDonald will appoint an individual once a candidate has been identified. Under section 38.08 of the Police Act, the CCD may, “appoint a person who is not a current or former member of a police force in British Columbia or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to review and assess the integrity of a specific investigation in accordance with this section and the terms of reference, if any, established by the chief civilian director in the appointment.”
The civilian monitor will have access to all investigative documentation, including evidence gathered, and may submit interim reports as needed to the investigative team. In accordance with the Police Act, the civilian monitor must also submit a final report to the CCD at the conclusion of the investigation. In the interest of a fully transparent investigation, the IIO commits to making the monitor’s final report available to the public.
Background
The IIO is the independent civilian oversight agency of the police in British Columbia. It investigates all officer-related incidents that result in serious harm or death, whether or not there is any allegation of wrongdoing.