IIO Files Report with Crown Counsel for Consideration of Charges Regarding August 2021 Incident near Prince George (2022-093)

INFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release

Surrey, B.C. – The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC has filed a report to the BC Prosecution Service for consideration of charges regarding IIO file 2022-093.

At approximately 2:00 p.m. on August 19, 2021, a Prince George RCMP officer driving an unmarked police SUV was involved in a collision with a blue Kia Rio on Highway 97 near Industrial Way in Bear Lake.

The female driver of the Kia was transported to the hospital with what were believed to be minor injuries, and notification to the IIO was therefore not completed at the time. The IIO was subsequently notified by the affected person on April 29, 2022, at which time the injuries were confirmed to meet the threshold of serious harm as defined by the Police Act.

Upon completion of the investigation, Chief Civilian Director Ronald J. MacDonald, QC, reviewed the evidence and determined that reasonable grounds exist to believe that the officer may have committed a driving offence. 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.

info@iiobc.ca