IIO Deploys to Critical Incident in Whistler

INFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release

SURREY – The Independent Investigations Office of BC confirms it has sent investigators to Whistler after being notified of an incident involving an RCMP officer.

According to the RCMP, at approximately 3 a.m., on January 20, 2015, officers responded to a complaint at a Whistler area hotel. Once at the scene, they observed an adult male who appeared to be unresponsive and in medical distress. While CPR was initiated, the male affected person did not survive and was pronounced deceased.

The IIO will be conducting a preliminary investigation to determine if this incident falls within the IIO’s jurisdiction. In this case, IIO investigators will be working to establish if there was a nexus (or relationship) between the death and an officer’s actions. If such a nexus is established, the IIO will sustain jurisdiction.

IHIT has full jurisdiction over the investigation into what actions may have taken place prior to the arrival of the RCMP. The BC Coroners Service remains responsible for the death investigation.

The IIO, RCMP and IHIT will work cooperatively as per the Memorandum of Understanding. The IIO Team Director, Primary Investigator and other specialists are en route to Whistler. They will be supported by the IIO Manager for Services to Affected Persons.

Due to the preliminary stages of the investigation and the significant concurrent investigation, no other information will be provided at this time.

Contact:
kellie.kilpatrick@iiobc.ca