Chief Civilian Director Makes Report to Crown Counsel

INFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release
June 27, 2013

SURREY – Chief Civilian Director Richard Rosenthal of the Independent Investigations Office (IIO) has made a report to Crown counsel with respect to an officer-involved incident that took place in North Vancouver.

On the afternoon of December 13, 2012, North Vancouver RCMP encountered an adult male during the course of an investigation. The man fled and was ultimately tracked by a police dog. The man sustained serious injuries related to a dog bite and was transported to hospital for treatment.

Chief Civilian Director Richard Rosenthal has completed his review of the investigative file and forwarded a report to Crown counsel, pursuant to Section 38.11 of the Police Act. This occurs when the Chief Civilian Director considers that an officer may have committed an offence under any enactment.

The RCMP remains responsible for the investigation into any alleged actions of the affected person.

The Chief Civilian Director does not make a recommendation on whether charges should be approved or what charges Crown counsel should consider. Under the Crown Counsel Act, the Criminal Justice Branch has jurisdiction over the charge assessment and charge approval process.

In approving charges, the Criminal Justice Branch must be satisfied not only that an offence may have been committed, but that the commission of an offence can be proven in court beyond a reasonable doubt. Criminal Justice Branch policy provides that in making this assessment Crown counsel will apply a two-part test:

1. There must be a substantial likelihood of conviction based on the evidence gathered by the investigating agency.
2. A prosecution must be required in the public interest.

Under these circumstances, no public report will be issued by the IIO and no further information will be provided.

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Contact:
owen.court@iiobc.ca