IIO is Investigating an Incident in Burns Lake (2021-093)
Case: 2021-093 Incident Date: December 6, 2020 Detachment: Burns Lake Location: Burns Lake Agency: RCMP 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 an incident in Burns Lake.
Information provided by the RCMP indicates that on December 6, 2020 at approximately 12:15 p.m., police responded to a report of an impaired snow mobile operator. Police located the snow mobile a short time later at a residence in the 4700-block of Tchesinkut Road East. When officers knocked on the door, the male operator, still wearing his helmet and other gear, was reportedly found to be impaired. He was arrested without incident before being transported to RCMP cells. While one officer waited with the snow mobile for a tow truck, a woman exited the residence and reportedly attempted to interfere with evidence associated to the initial offence. The woman was advised she was under arrest, and an interaction reportedly occurred before she was taken into custody. The woman was then taken to RCMP cells.
Upon release, the woman attended a local hospital and was found to have sustained injuries. The IIO was notified on April 15, 2021 and has commenced an investigation.
The IIO is asking any person with relevant information of the incident to please contact the 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.