IIO Concludes Investigation into an Incident in Squamish (2021-055)
Case: 2021-055 Incident Date: March 9, 2021 Agency: RCMP Location: Squamish Detachment: Squamish 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 concludes investigation into an incident in Squamish.
As indicated in the previous release, on March 9, 2021 at approximately 6:30 p.m., officers responded to a call for assistance regarding a woman who was allegedly threatening others at a residence on Stawamus Road. Statements provided by civilian witnesses confirm that before police had a chance to speak to the woman, she ran into another room out of view. Officers entered the room shortly after and found that the woman had exited the building from a second story window.
The woman then ran toward a neighbour’s home, where she tripped and fell according to other independent witnesses.
Emergency Health Services were called, and the woman was taken to the hospital for treatment of serious but not life-threatening injuries.
The CCD has reviewed the evidence and determined that the officers were acting appropriately in attempting to arrest the woman in response to the threat allegations. The woman’s injury was caused by either her decision to exit from the second-floor window, or when she tripped and fell. As a result, the actions of police were not responsible for her injury. 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.
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