IIO Files Report to Crown Counsel for Consideration of Charges Regarding September 2020 Incident in Vancouver (2020-232)
Case: 2020-232 Incident Date: September 20, 2020 Agency: Municipal Location: Vancouver Detachment: Vancouver Police Department 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 2020-232.
As described in the previous media release, at approximately 2:35 a.m. on September 20, 2020, officers attended the 1400-block of East 13th Avenue after receiving a report of a man lying under a parked vehicle.
When the man attempted to leave the scene on a bicycle, the officers pursued on foot and the man was taken to the ground with the assistance of a police service dog. During the take-down and arrest, the man sustained serious injuries.
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 an offence in relation to the use of force 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.