IIO is Investigating a Motor Vehicle Incident in West Vancouver (2020-175)
Case: 2020-175 Incident Date: July 23, 2020 Agency: Municipal Location: West Vancouver Detachment: West Vancouver Police Department Incident Classification: Serious Harm Case Status: Closed - Without Public ReportINFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release
Surrey, B.C. – The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC is investigating a motor vehicle incident in West Vancouver.
On July 23, 2020, the West Vancouver Police Department notified the IIO of an incident that occurred earlier that day at approximately 10:00 a.m. An officer observed three motorcycles on Highway 1 near Cypress Bowl Road travelling at a high rate of speed. The officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the motorcycles exited the Highway at Caulfield Drive and the officer lost sight of them.
Upon exiting the highway, the officer reportedly saw two motorcycles nearby. Both fled at a high rate of speed out of sight. The officer then followed in the direction they travelled.
Shortly thereafter, a bystander advised the officer of a motorcycle that had gone off the road into a wooded area nearby. The officer went to the scene and called Emergency Health Services, who transported the man, the affected person in this matter, to a local area hospital where he was found to have suffered injuries.
The IIO will investigate to determine what role, if any, the officer’s actions or inaction may have played in the incident.
The IIO requests that any person who saw, heard, or recorded the incident to contact the IIO Witness Line toll free at 1-855-446-8477 or via the contact form on the iiobc.ca website.
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.