IIO Concludes Investigation into an Incident in Saanich (2022-308)
Case: 2022-308 Incident Date: November 26, 2022 Agency: Municipal Location: Saanich Detachment: Saanich Police Department 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 2022-308 into an incident in Saanich where one man was seriously injured.
At about 11:00 p.m. on November 26, 2022, officers with the Saanich Police Department in the area on unrelated business received a report regarding a man alleged to have committed theft at a business at the Uptown Mall. The man ran towards a parking lot, where he was subsequently located by police.
Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) footage, a civilian witness, and police records confirm that when the man noticed a police vehicle, he ran and began to climb a fence. Video shows that the officer was some distance from the man when he climbed over and shortly thereafter fell to the ground approximately 6-7.5 metres (20-25 feet) below. There was no physical or verbal contact between the man and officer.
The Chief Civilian Director has reviewed the evidence – including video footage, a witness statement, scene analysis, and police records – and determined that police are not responsible for the man’s injuries.
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.