IIO Files Report with Crown Counsel for Consideration of Charges Regarding August 2021 Incident in Kamloops (2021-332)
Case: 2021-332 Incident Date: December 3, 2021 Location: Kamloops Detachment: Kamloops Agency: RCMP Incident Classification: Serious Harm Case Status: Referral to Crown Counsel (RTCC)INFORMATION 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 2021-332.
At approximately 7:25 p.m. on December 3, 2021, officers responded to reports of an alleged robbery and a theft in the vicinity of the Lansdowne Shopping Village. Officers observed a youth on a bicycle that they believed may be a suspect in both incidents near the intersection of 3rd Avenue and Lansdowne Street. The youth rode their bicycle into Riverside Park. Officers followed and took the youth into custody.
During the arrest, the youth sustained a serious but not life-threatening injury.
Upon completion of the investigation, Chief Civilian Director Ronald J. MacDonald, KC, reviewed the evidence and determined that reasonable grounds exist to believe that one officer may have committed an offence in relation to the use of a 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.