Chief Civilian Director makes Report to Crown Counsel

INFORMATION BULLETIN
For Immediate Release
Independent Investigations Office
Nov. 8, 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 Salmon Arm.

At 11:54 p.m. on June 21, 2013, a uniformed, on-duty member of the Salmon Arm RCMP was monitoring a four-way stop sign at Auto Road and Five Corners. The officer reportedly observed a vehicle proceed through a stop sign on Auto Road without stopping. The officer began to follow the Chevrolet in an attempt to catch up and pull the vehicle over.

After a brief pursuit, the pursuit was ordered terminated. Shortly thereafter, the RCMP officer reported being off-road near Auto Road and 50th Ave. At this same location, the other driver lost control and slid sideways into the side of a dump truck. The female driver did not survive her injuries.

Chief Civilian Director Richard Rosenthal has completed his review of the investigative file and has 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 Chief Civilian Director does not make a recommendation on if or what charges he believes Crown counsel should consider. Crown counsel maintains full 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.

Learn More:
Independent Investigations Office website: http://www.iiobc.ca/

Contact:
Ralph.Krenz@iiobc.ca