IIO Files Report to Crown Counsel for Consideration of Charges (2020-045)
Case: 2020-045 Incident Date: March 2, 2020 Detachment: Abbotsford Police Department Location: Chilliwack Agency: Municipal 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 2020-045.
As described in the previous media release, on March 2, 2020 just after 10:00 p.m., officers from the RCMP and Abbotsford Police Department attended an apartment building on Mary Street in Chilliwack to attempt to arrest a man with several outstanding warrants. The ensuing interaction took place in several areas of the building, and during the course of the arrest, a less-lethal extended range impact weapon was utilized.
Upon completion of the investigation, Chief Civilian Director Ronald J. MacDonald, QC, reviewed the evidence and determined that there are reasonable grounds to believe that an Abbotsford Police Department officer may have committed offences in relation to the use of a less-lethal extended range impact weapon during the arrest. 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 charges.
In order to approve any 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 be 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.