IIO Concludes Investigation into Maple Ridge Incident (2020-246)
Case: 2020-246 Incident Date: October 5, 2020 Location: Maple Ridge Agency: RCMP Detachment: Ridge Meadows 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 an investigation into an incident in Maple Ridge.
On October 5, 2020 at approximately 11:55 p.m., an officer responded to a complaint regarding a man believed to be trespassing in the 12000-block of York Street. When the officer arrived, he found a man pushing a motorcycle out of a carport at the residence. The officer advised the man that he was under arrest for trespassing, and the man fled on the motorcycle. The officer did not pursue and informed police dispatch that the man had departed.
Three different police vehicles in the area observed the motorcycle as it travelled at a high rate of speed westbound on Dewdney Trunk Road towards Golden Ears Way. Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) information from all three police vehicles confirms that none pursued the motorcycle at any point.
At about 12:05 a.m., one of the police cars travelling at a normal rate of speed on Dewdney Trunk Road noted signs of a collision in a grassy area adjacent to the Golden Ears Bridge on ramp. Officers observed the motorcycle nearby and a police service dog was used to assist in locating the rider. At 12:15 a.m., the male rider was located and found to have sustained injuries in the collision.
Emergency Health Services were requested to attend at 12:15 a.m.; unfortunately, due to a lack of available units they did not arrive until 12:45 a.m. to transport the man to hospital for treatment. The man declined to provide IIO investigators with a statement or access to his medical records.
The Chief Civilian Director has reviewed the evidence – including mobile data terminal information, radio transmissions and police records – and determined that no officer played any role in the collision. Police appropriately did not pursue the speeding motorcycle. The evidence shows that it was the male rider’s decision to speed away on the motorcycle that led to the crash.
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.