IIO Reaches Decision in Incident Involving the VPD (2016-193)
Case: 2016-193 Incident Date: September 19, 2016 Agency: Municipal Location: New Westminster Detachment: Vancouver Police Department Incident Classification: Serious Harm Case Status: Closed - With Public Report INFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release
Surrey – The Chief Civilian Director (CCD) of the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. has reached a decision relating to an incident on September 19, 2016 at around 4 p.m. On that date VPD officers were in New Westminster as part of an ongoing investigation. In the process of arresting a number of individuals, a male bystander who was unrelated to the incident suffered serious injuries as a result of a police service dog bite.
Based on a review of all of the evidence collected during the course of the investigation and the relevant law, the CCD has found the actions of the police were justified, and thus does not consider that any police officer has committed an offence under any enactment. Therefore the matter will not be referred to Crown Counsel for consideration of charges.
Due to the concurrent investigation by police and the associated trial, the IIO will not be issuing its usual public report in this case, but will do so at the conclusion of that matter.
“We are issuing this statement to satisfy the public that the IIO has conducted a thorough and independent review of this investigation,” CCD Ron MacDonald said.
As the matter is before the courts, the IIO will not comment on the details of the case or the evidence considered in reaching this decision.
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.