IIO is Investigating an Incident in Saanich (2021-318)

Case: 2021-318 Incident Date: November 20, 2021 Agency: RCMP Location: Saanich Detachment: West Shore Incident Classification: Death Case Status: Closed - Without Public Report

INFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release

Surrey, B.C.—The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC is investigating an incident that began with the West Shore RCMP and culminated in North Saanich.

Information provided by the RCMP indicates that on November 20, 2021 at approximately 3:00 p.m., police arrested a man before releasing him from police custody at 7:00 p.m. About 20 minutes later, he was reported to have breached his conditions. West Shore RCMP communicated with the man about the breach, and the male was not taken into police custody at this time.

At approximately 9:00 p.m., a vehicle went off the road at the intersection of Mills Road and West Saanich Road in North Saanich. The male driver and lone occupant did not survive and was later confirmed to be the same man West Shore police had recently arrested and released.

The IIO has commenced an investigation to determine what role, if any, police actions or inactions may have played in the death.

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.

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