IIO Concludes Investigation into an Incident in Tappen (2021-106)
Case: 2021-106 Incident Date: April 23, 2021 Agency: RCMP Detachment: Salmon Arm Location: Tappen 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 Tappen of a collision involving a blue Pontiac Vibe.
As described in the IIO’s previous release, on April 22, 2021 at approximately 5:25 p.m., police responded to reports regarding a disturbance at a residence. Information provided by one of the callers indicated that a blue Pontiac Vibe may be associated with the disturbance.
Officers who were travelling to the residence observed a Pontiac matching the provided description going in the opposite direction. Video from the police vehicle confirms the Pontiac was being driven erratically and that the officers turned their vehicle around about half a minute later to follow the vehicle, but the Pontiac was already out of view. The video shows that officers did not activate their emergency equipment to pursue the vehicle but continued to drive in the direction the Pontiac had gone.
Independent witnesses who observed the crash further confirm that police were not in view when the collision occurred, nor was emergency equipment activated when they did arrive a short time later. The video evidence corroborates that, after the initial sighting, the Pontiac was never in the officer’s view until they arrived at the collision scene.
The CCD has reviewed the evidence and determined that there is no connection between the actions of the police and the collision. The evidence clearly shows that the erratic driving began before the officers turned around and that they did not engage in a pursuit. Police therefore did not contribute to the subsequent collision.
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.