IIO Files Report to Crown Counsel in Fatal Langford Motor Vehicle Incident (2016-064)

INFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release

SURREY – The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) has filed a report to Crown Counsel for consideration of charges in connection with a fatal motor vehicle incident in Langford.

On Tuesday April 5, 2016 a collision occurred in the intersection of Peatt Road and Goldstream Avenue. The collision claimed the life of a female RCMP officer whose police vehicle was struck by a civilian’s vehicle crossing the intersection.

Prior to the collision, another RCMP officer (who is the subject of this investigation) attempted to pull over the civilian’s vehicle. The civilian’s vehicle did not stop and collided at the intersection resulting in the death of the RCMP officer.

The IIO was notified of the incident immediately but released jurisdiction based on initial information provided to the IIO. Subsequently, police provided further information that resulted in the IIO commencing an investigation.

The focus of the IIO investigation relates to the actions of the RCMP officer who attempted to stop and pull over the civilian’s vehicle. The IIO’s investigation includes the circumstances surrounding the collision and the subsequent information provided by the subject officer to the RCMP.

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 Crown for consideration of charges. This is required when the CCD considers that an officer may have committed an offence under any enactment.

The threshold for referral to Crown is lower for the IIO than for other law enforcement agencies in the province.

The IIO does not make a recommendation on whether charges should be approved. Under the Crown Counsel Act, the Criminal Justice Branch has jurisdiction over the charge assessment and charge approval process.

In approving charges, the Criminal Justice Branch must be satisfied not only that an offence may have been committed, but that the commission of an offence can be proven in court beyond a reasonable doubt. Criminal Justice Branch policy provides that in making this assessment Crown Counsel will apply a two-part test:

• There must be a substantial likelihood of conviction based on the evidence gathered by the investigating agency.
• A prosecution must be required in the public interest.

Under these circumstances, no public report will be issued by the IIO and no further information will be provided.

Marten Youssef
Acting Director, Public Engagement & Policy
Marten.Youssef@iiobc.ca

Aidan Buckley
Communications & Stakeholder Relations Liaison
Aidan.Buckley@iiobc.ca