IIO Files Report with Crown Counsel for Consideration of Charges Regarding a May 2021 Incident in Surrey (2021-169)
Case: 2021-169 Incident Date: May 29, 2021 Detachment: Delta Police Department Agency: Municipal Location: Surrey 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 2021-169.
At approximately 9:35 p.m. on May 29, 2021, officers from the Lower Mainland Integrated Police Dog Service were attempting to take two people into custody following an incident near the intersection of Kettle Crescent and 154 Street. While following one person down Kettle Crescent with the assistance of a police service dog, police encountered an uninvolved man who sustained a serious dog bite injury.
The man subsequently went to the hospital for treatment.
Upon completion of the investigation, Chief Civilian Director Ronald J. MacDonald, KC, reviewed the evidence and determined that reasonable grounds exist to believe that two officers may have committed an offence in relation to the use of a police service dog. 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.