IIO Files Report to Crown Counsel for Consideration of Charges (2020-110)
Case: 2020-110 Incident Date: May 31, 2020 Agency: RCMP Detachment: Williams Lake Location: Williams Lake Incident Classification: Serious Harm Case Status: Closed - 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 2020-110.
As described in the previous media release, on May 31, 2020 at approximately 7:00 p.m., RCMP officers in Williams Lake responded to a report regarding a man the caller indicated was intoxicated, in significant emotional distress, and had departed from a residence on a motorbike. When an officer found the man and attempted to speak to him, he departed on the motorbike. Police followed, and an interaction occurred between the motorbike and the police vehicle a short time later. The man was then taken into custody.
The man sustained serious but not life-threatening injuries in the incident and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Upon completion of the investigation, Chief Civilian Director Ronald J. MacDonald, QC reviewed the evidence and determined that reasonable grounds exist to believe that an officer may have committed offences related to the use of a police vehicle. 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.