IIO Team Deployed to Cranbrook

INFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office of BC
For Immediate Release
Oct. 3, 2012

SURREY – The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) confirms that investigators have been deployed to Cranbrook in response to an officer involved shooting that took place on Oct. 2, 2012.

At approximately 22:00 hours (10:00 p.m.), Oct. 2, 2012, the IIO was notified of the incident by RCMP in Cranbrook. The shooting involved an on-duty officer who had been following up on a vehicle-related incident that had originated in Creston earlier that day. As a result of the earlier incident, a vehicle description had been broadcasted to police.

At approximately 21:30 hours (9:30 p.m.), the officer came into contact with the vehicle and its two occupants. During the subsequent exchange, the officer discharged his firearm. The adult male driver sustained non-life threatening injuries and was transported to hospital. A female passenger was uninjured and was taken into custody. The police officer was not injured.

Six IIO personnel were deployed by air at 07:00 hours (7:00 a.m.) on Oct. 3, 2012 and are expected to arrive in Cranbrook at 10:00 hours (10:00 a.m.). Once there, they will meet with the designated RCMP liaison officer and assume control of the scene. It is expected that the RCMP will continue to conduct their investigation into the earlier events. The IIO and the involved police service will work within the terms agreed upon in the Memorandum of Understanding that was signed by the Chief Civilian Director and B.C.’s police services in July, 2012. The MOU provides for circumstances where there are concurrent investigations underway.

As set by the Chief Civilian Director, the IIO’s goals are to conduct fair, unbiased, timely, thorough and competent investigations and ensure transparency through public reporting.

Learn More:
Independent Investigations Office website: http://www.iiobc.ca/

Contact:
Owen Court
Senior Manager, Strategic Projects and Public Engagement
Independent Investigations Office of BC
604 788-1600