IIO Concludes Investigation into Surrey Incident (2020-172)

Case: 2020-172 Incident Date: July 16, 2020 Agency: RCMP Detachment: Surrey Location: Surrey Incident Classification: Death Case Status: Closed - Without Public Report

INFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release

IIO Concludes Investigation into Surrey Incident (2020-172)

Surrey, B.C. – The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of B.C. is concluding an investigation into an incident in Surrey.

As detailed in our initial release, on July 16, 2020 at approximately 6:20 p.m., an officer observed a man entering a construction site in the 9800-block of Whalley Boulevard. The officer called out for the man to stop, but the man continued onto the site and climbed to the top of a construction crane.

Crisis negotiators attempted to engage the man in conversation over several hours in hopes of persuading him to safely descend. At approximately 10:15 p.m., the man jumped from the crane. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The IIO’s Chief Civilian Director (CCD) has reviewed the evidence – including statements from independent witnesses, video and audio sources – which showed that all efforts were made to convince the man to return to safety, including officers climbing the crane at their own risk in hopes of helping him down.

The CCD has therefore determined that the tragic death of the man was not the result of police action or inaction, and the investigation has been 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.

info@iiobc.ca

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