IIO Concludes Investigation into an Incident in Burns Lake (2021-093)
Case: 2021-093 Incident Date: December 6, 2020 Location: Burns Lake Detachment: Burns 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 Burns Lake.
As described in the IIO’s previous release, on December 6, 2020 at approximately 12:15 p.m., police responded to a report of an impaired snow mobile operator. Officers located the operator at a residence in the 4700-block of Tchesinkut Road East and arrested him before transporting him to RCMP cells without incident.
While one officer waited with the snow mobile for a tow truck, a woman exited the residence and attempted to interfere with evidence associated to the initial alleged impairment offence. The woman was advised that she was under arrest, and a brief interaction occurred before she was taken into custody.
When the woman was released from police custody, she attended a local hospital and was found to have sustained an injury.
The CCD has reviewed the medical evidence and determined the injury sustained by the woman does not meet the threshold required for serious harm as defined by the Police Act.
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.