IIO Deploys to Incident in Surrey (2017-023)

INFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release

Surrey – The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. has deployed investigators to an incident at Central City Shopping Centre in Surrey.

At approximately 12:15 a.m. on Thursday March 16, 2017, officers from Surrey RCMP and an officer from the Integrated Police Dog Service were maintaining surveillance on a vehicle around Central City Shopping Centre. According to police, the male driver of the vehicle parked in the mall`s parkade and upon leaving the vehicle an interaction took place with officers who had followed the vehicle into the parkade. Police report that the male then ran to the edge of the parkade and jumped suffering serious injuries.

IIO Investigators deployed to the scene and have conducted tasks including obtaining physical evidence, designating and interviewing officers and reviewing CCTV. Surrey RCMP is responsible for any concurrent investigation.

The initial focus of the IIO investigation will be to determine if there is a connection between the injuries suffered by the male and the actions of police. If there is no connection then the IIO will release jurisdiction, if there is a connection the IIO will continue investigating. Since September 2012, the IIO has been notified of over 1200 incidents. The IIO has continued investigating in approximately 23% of these incidents; jurisdiction was released in the remainder.

Any potential witnesses of this incident, particularly those who were in the area around the Central City Shopping Centre parkade are asked to call the IIO at 1-855-446-8477.

No further information or updates will be provided at this time.

Marten Youssef
Acting Director, Public Engagement & Policy
Marten.Youssef@iiobc.ca

Aidan Buckley
Communications & Stakeholder Relations Liaison
Aidan.Buckley@iiobc.ca