IIO Files Report with Crown Counsel for Consideration of Charges Regarding April 2020 Incident in Prince George (2020-067)
Case: 2020-067 Incident Date: April 12, 2020 Location: Prince George Detachment: Prince George Agency: RCMP Incident Classification: Death 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 2020-067.
As described in the previous media releases, on April 12, 2020 at approximately 4:30 a.m., police responded to an alarm at E&I Sports in the 1400 block of 3rd Avenue in Prince George. This store was known by police to sell firearms and ammunition. Mr. Patrick was arrested several hours later and was taken to the hospital. Once cleared, Mr. Patrick was lodged in RCMP cells.
Mr. Patrick was found to be in medical distress while in RCMP cells at approximately 4:00 p.m. the same day and Emergency Health Services transported him back to the hospital.
Mr. Patrick was subsequently pronounced deceased on April 20, 2020.
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 offences in relation to the standard of care Mr. Patrick received. 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.