IIO Files Report to Crown Counsel for Consideration of Charges (2020-302)
Case: 2020-302 Incident Date: November 4, 2020 Location: Surrey Agency: Transit Police - SCBCTAPS 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 2020-302.
As described in the previous media release, on November 4, 2020 at approximately 11:00 p.m., a motor vehicle incident occurred between an unmarked police vehicle and a white Volkswagen Jetta at the intersection of 128 Street and 93 Avenue in Surrey. The police vehicle was driven by a Metro Vancouver Transit Police officer who was responding to an unrelated matter.
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 in relation to the operation 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.