IIO Files Report with Crown Counsel for Consideration of Charges Regarding an Incident in Vancouver (2023-317)
Case: 2023-317 Incident Date: September 29, 2023 Agency: Municipal Location: Vancouver Detachment: Vancouver Police Department Incident Classification: Serious Harm Case Status: Closed - 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 2023-317.
At around 9:10 p.m. on September 29, 2023, a Vancouver Police Department officer responding to an incident was involved in a collision with a female pedestrian in the 1600-block of Commercial Drive.
At the time, it is reported that the woman declined assistance from Emergency Health Services and sought medical treatment independently. The woman received some assistance from firefighters at the scene.
The IIO was notified by the VPD on October 23, 2023 that the woman sustained an injury. Investigators later determined the woman’s injury meets the threshold of serious harm, as defined by the Police Act.
Upon completion of the investigation, Interim Chief Civilian Director Sandra J. Hentzen reviewed the evidence and determined that reasonable grounds exist to believe that the officer may have committed an offence in relation to the use of their police vehicle. 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.