IIO Refers Report to Crown Counsel for Consideration of Charges Regarding a Police-Involved Shooting in Duncan (2023-087)
Case: 2023-087 Incident Date: March 28, 2023 Location: Duncan Detachment: North Cowichan/Duncan Agency: RCMP Incident Classification: Serious Harm Case Status: Referral to Crown Counsel (RTCC)INFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release
Surrey, B.C. – The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC has referred a matter to the BC Prosecution Service for consideration of charges (IIO 2023-087).
On the evening of March 28, 2023, members of the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP detachment responded to a report of a man operating a skid-steer loader in a residential area of Duncan.
When officers arrived, they located a man driving a skid-steer around Evans Park and nearby Parkside Place.
There was contact between the skid-steer and police vehicles followed by an interaction where shots were fired by police.
The man was later transported to a hospital for treatment of serious injuries and was later released.
Upon completion of the investigation, Chief Civilian Director Jessica Berglund reviewed the evidence and determined that reasonable grounds exist to believe that one officer may have committed an offence in relation to the use of a firearm. As a result, and pursuant to Section 38.11 of the Police Act, the IIO has forwarded a report to the BC Prosecution Service for consideration of charges.
In order to approve any charges, the BC Prosecution Service must be satisfied that there is a substantial likelihood of conviction based on the evidence gathered by the IIO, and that prosecution be required in the public interest.
While the matter is with Crown, the IIO will not be making any additional comment about the facts of this case.
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.