IIO Files Report with Crown Counsel for Consideration of Charges Regarding September 2021 Incident in Port Moody (2021-258)
Case: 2021-258 Incident Date: September 15, 2021 Agency: Municipal Location: Port Moody Detachment: Port Moody 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 with the BC Prosecution Service for consideration of charges regarding IIO file 2021-258.
As described in the previous media release, at approximately 3:00 p.m. on September 15, 2021, members of the Port Moody Police Department attended a residence on April Road and attempted to arrest a man on outstanding warrants.
The man exited the building from a third storey balcony, where he fell to the second storey roof then onto the ground. He was seriously injured during the fall.
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 entry of the residence and 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.