IIO Addresses Misinformation Regarding August 22 Police-Involved Death in Vancouver (2022-227)
Case: 2022-227 Incident Date: August 22, 2022 Agency: Municipal Location: Vancouver Detachment: Vancouver Police Department Incident Classification: Death Case Status: Open - Investigation in ProgressINFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release
Surrey, B.C. – The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC today corrected an erroneous statement made by the family of a man who died in Vancouver on August 22, 2022.
At a September 1 press conference, a spokesperson for the family of Christopher Amyotte said that the family had not yet been contacted by the IIO. In fact, the IIO’s Primary Investigator and Affected Persons Liaison assigned to the case have reached out to and spoken directly with multiple members of Mr. Amyotte’s family – initiating contact immediately on the day of his death, and continuing contact on several subsequent occasions.
“Ongoing communication with the family is a standard and integral part of the IIO’s role,” says Ron MacDonald, Chief Civilian Director of the IIO. “We have two Affected Persons Liaisons on staff who provide support to those affected by the incidents we’re investigating. This support starts as soon as we become involved in a case and continues throughout the process.”
Mr. Amyotte died following an interaction with police in which officers discharged a ‘beanbag’ weapon. The IIO’s investigation into the case will determine what role, if any, police actions or inactions played in Mr. Amyotte’s death.
The IIO asks anyone with relevant information about this incident to contact the witness line toll free at 1-855-446-8477 or via the contact form at iiobc.ca.
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.