IIO Investigating Fatal Incident in Port Coquitlam (2017-064)

Case: 2017-064 Incident Date: June 18, 2017 Detachment: Coquitlam Location: Coquitlam Agency: RCMP Incident Classification: Death Case Status: Closed - With Public Report

INFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release

Surrey – The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. is investigating a fatal incident in Port Coquitlam.

Just after 7 p.m. on Sunday 2017 June 18, Coquitlam RCMP received a report of a distraught male threatening to harm himself. Initial reports suggest the male fired shots into the air outside a residence in the 2100 block of Audrey Drive in Port Coquitlam.

Police located the male outside the residence and shots were fired by the male and police. The male was later found deceased.

IIO investigators were deployed to the scene and will be conducting tasks including obtaining physical evidence from the scene, interviewing any civilian witnesses and designating and interviewing officers.

The IIO’s investigation is focused on determining whether the male’s injuries are self-inflicted or from police, including whether police actions were lawful, proportionate and reasonable.

The IIO will not be providing any information about the deceased as this is the responsibility of BC Coroners Service at their discretion.

The IIO believes there were a significant number of witnesses to the unfolding of this incident and asks that any potential witnesses call the IIO at 1-855-446-8477 even if you have already spoken with police.

IIO will be available at the scene at 2 p.m. today to provide comment to the media.

Background

  • The IIO is an independent civilian oversight agency of the police in British Columbia. It investigates all officer-related incidents that result in serious harm or death.
  • In the initial stages of an investigation, the IIO must determine if there is a connection between the serious harm or death and the actions or inactions of police. If there is a connection then the IIO will continue to investigate.
  • If there is no connection between police action or inaction and the serious harm or death then the IIO will release jurisdiction.
  • When the IIO proceeds with an investigation, these investigations end in one of two ways:
      • If the Chief Civilian Director (CCD) of the IIO concludes that an officer may have committed any offence then the CCD will refer this case to Crown counsel for consideration of charges. The IIO does not lay charges.
      • If the CCD concludes that no officer may have committed any offence then a public report will be released on the IIO’s website at www.iiobc.ca. These public reports give an in-depth look at the case and explain the CCD’s rationale for not referring the case to Crown counsel.
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