IIO Files Report to Crown Counsel for Consideration of Charges (2019-231)
Case: 2019-231 Incident Date: December 22, 2019 Detachment: Central Okanagan Traffic Services Location: Kelowna Agency: RCMP Incident Classification: Serious Harm Case Status: Closed - No charges approved by Crown CounselINFORMATION 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 2019-231.
As described in our initial release, the RCMP reported that on December 22, 2019 at approximately 12:10 a.m., a Central Okanagan Traffic Services officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop in Kelowna on Highway 97. The pickup truck, driven by a man who is the affected person in this case, did not stop and instead turned off Highway 97 onto residential streets. The officer pursued and when they reached a dead-end street, an interaction occurred between the man and the officer which resulted in shots being fired by the officer.
Shortly thereafter, police were advised that a man, who was determined to be the driver of the pickup truck, had been admitted to hospital with serious injuries.
Upon completion of the investigation, Chief Civilian Director Ronald J. MacDonald, QC has reviewed the evidence and determined that reasonable grounds exist to believe that an officer may have committed offences in relation to the pursuit and use of a firearm. 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 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 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.