IIO Files Report to Crown Counsel for Consideration of Charges (2019-078)
Case: 2019-078 Incident Date: May 18, 2018 Agency: Municipal Location: Vancouver Detachment: Vancouver Police Department Incident Classification: Serious Harm Case Status: Closed - Court DecisionInformation Bulletin
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Posting
Surrey – The Independent Investigation Office of B.C. has filed a report to the B.C. Prosecution Service for their consideration of charges.
IIO 2019-078 This investigation relates to a motor vehicle incident involving the Vancouver Police Department.
VPD reported that at approximately 10:00 p.m. on May 18, 2018, a collision occurred between a police vehicle and a cyclist at the intersection of W 46th Avenue and Oak Street, Vancouver. The cyclist was taken to hospital by Emergency Health Services where it was originally believed the female received minor injuries.
On May 1, 2019, the IIO received notification from The Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner of British Columbia (OPCC) that further information received indicated the injury constituted serious harm.
In this case, the Chief Civilian Director of the IIO has completed his review of the investigative file and, pursuant to Section 38.11 of The Police Act, has forwarded a report to B.C. Prosecution Service for consideration of charges.
In approving charges, the B.C. Prosecution Service must be satisfied there is a substantial likelihood of conviction based on the evidence gathered by the IIO and that the prosecution is required in the public interest.
As the matter is currently with the Crown, the IIO will not be making any additional comment about the facts of the case at this time.
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.