IIO Concludes Investigation into an Incident in Anahim Lake (2020-297)
Case: 2020-297 Incident Date: October 11, 2020 Location: Anahim Lake Detachment: Anahim Lake Agency: RCMP Incident Classification: Serious Harm Case Status: Closed - Without 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 has concluded an investigation into an incident in Anahim Lake.
As described in the previous release, on October 11, 2020 at approximately 5:45 p.m., a bystander reported a motor vehicle incident about 15 kilometres east of Nimpo Lake on Highway 20 to police, and noted that the driver was walking around outside his vehicle and appeared uninjured. Police attended and located the vehicle but were unable to find the driver.
The following day, police were made aware that the driver was missing, and another search was undertaken. The man was subsequently located in a nearby wooded area about 500 metres away from the site of the motor vehicle incident. The driver reported he entered the woods following the incident and became lost.
The Chief Civilian Director (CCD) has reviewed the available medical evidence and determined that the impairment the man sustained as a result of the unsuccessful police search does not meet the threshold for serious harm, as defined by the Police Act. Any injuries the man may have sustained in the motor vehicle incident are not connected to police actions.
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.