IIO Notified of Critical Incident in New Westminster

INFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release

Surrey – The Independent Investigations Office of BC confirms notification of a critical incident that occurred earlier this morning.

On October 5, 2015 at approximately 3 am, officers from several police agencies responded to a call related to a person in distress on or near the Pattullo Bridge. According to the police, the subject of the call did not survive.

As a result of the fatality, the IIO was notified. This occurs whenever an officer or officers are involved in an incident of death or serious harm.  The IIO will initiate a preliminary investigation in order to determine if there is a nexus, or relationship between the death and an officer’s actions.

The IIO conducts a significant number of preliminary investigations a year. In approximately half of those, jurisdiction is not sustained. The case must meet the two part test of serious harm/death AND a nexus.

Under the circumstances today, additional information will not be released by the IIO.  An update will be provided if and when the IIO sustains or releases jurisdiction.

As per the MOU, the local police agency will not comment on the investigation. The BC Coroners Service maintains all responsibility for information related to the deceased.

Marten Youssef
Manager, Strategic Communications
Marten.Youssef@iiobc.ca