IIO Files Report to Crown Counsel for Consideration of Charges (2019-013)
Case: 2019-013 Incident Date: December 2, 2018 Detachment: Nanaimo Location: Nanaimo Agency: RCMP Incident Classification: Serious Harm Case Status: Closed - Court DecisionINFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release
Surrey, B.C. – The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC has filed a report to the BC Prosecution Service for consideration of charges regarding IIO file 2019-013.
The investigation relates to an incident that occurred on December 2, 2018 in Nanaimo, BC. The affected person was arrested by Nanaimo RCMP and, during the course of her arrest and detention, the affected person suffered serious injuries.
Upon completion of the investigation, IIO Chief Civilian Director Ronald J. MacDonald, QC has determined that reasonable grounds exist to believe that an officer may have committed offences in relation to the alleged application of force by a police officer. As a result, and pursuant to Section 38.11 of the Police Act, the IIO has forwarded a report to the BC Prosecution Service for consideration of potential charges.
In order to approve the charges, the BC Prosecution Service must be satisfied that there is a substantial likelihood of conviction based on the evidence gathered by the IIO, and that prosecution is required in the public interest.
While the matter is with the Crown, the IIO will not be making any additional comment about the facts of this case.
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.