IIO Concludes Investigation into a January 2023 Incident in Kitimat (2023-012)
Case: 2023-012 Incident Date: January 13, 2023 Location: Kitimat Detachment: Kitimat Agency: RCMP Incident Classification: Serious Harm Case Status: Closed - Without Public ReportINFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release
Surrey, B.C. – The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC has concluded investigation 2023-012 into an incident in Kitimat where one man sustained a serious injury.
Shortly after 5:00 a.m. on January 13, 2023, police were called to an alleged break and enter at a business in the 200-block of City Centre. Officers called out to a man nearby who was believed to have been involved, and the man attempted to leave the area.
The man later confirmed to IIO Investigators that when he attempted to leave using an icy path, the slippery conditions caused him to fall. The man sustained a serious injury in the fall and was transported to the hospital for treatment.
The Chief Civilian Director has reviewed the evidence – including a statement from the affected person, medical information, scene photos, and police records – and determined that police actions were not responsible for the man’s injury. Although it was the officer’s initial call to the man that caused him to attempt to leave quickly, the officers were roughly 50 metres away when the fall occurred, and the officer’s actions in asking the man to stop for police were justified.
The IIO investigation is now concluded.
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.