IIO Notified of Incidents in Fort St John (2019-220) and Port Alberni (2019-221)
Case: 2019-220 Incident Date: November 28, 2019 Detachment: Fort St. John Location: Fort St. John Agency: RCMP Incident Classification: Serious Harm Case Status: Closed - Without Public ReportInformation Bulletin
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Posting
Surrey. B.C. – The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. has been notified of a police-involved incident in Fort St John and Port Alberni.
Fort St John (2019- 220)
RCMP reported that on November 28, 2019, at approximately 2:00 a.m., officers observed a vehicle under suspicious circumstances and attempted to stop the vehicle.
Officers lost contact and shortly after the vehicle was found upside down off the side of the road. The male driver sustained serious facial injuries and was transported to hospital.
Port Alberni (2019-221)
RCMP reported that on November 28, 2019, at approximately 3:00 a.m., a call was received regarding an unclothed male in a public place. Officers attended and located the male, but he chose to flee and entered the tributary of Port Alberni inlet.
Officers entered the water in an attempt to reach the male but were unsuccessful. The Coroner attended the scene.
The IIO has commenced an investigation to determine what role, if any, officers’ actions or inaction may have played into the death of the male.
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.