IIO Team Update to Cranbrook Deployment

INFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release
Oct. 5, 2012

SURREY – The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) confirms that investigators have completed preliminary investigative activities in response to an officer-involved shooting that took place on Oct. 2, 2012, and are expected to return to IIO Headquarters in Surrey later today.

IIO investigators have been in the Cranbrook area since their deployment early Wednesday morning. The IIO asserted jurisdiction after being notified of an officer-involved shooting that occurred at 22:15 hours M.S.T. (10:15 p.m.), on Oct. 2, 2012. The shooting occurred during a follow-up investigation to a report of a stolen vehicle. The driver of the vehicle sustained non-life threatening injuries. Both he and the female passenger remain subjects of the concurrent RCMP investigation.

Over the past three days, IIO investigators have conducted numerous investigative tasks including attending the scene; monitoring the scene examination and collecting evidence; logging exhibits; and the forensic examination of the vehicle. Neighbourhood canvasses and interviews with potential witnesses and the affected persons have also been completed. As with any investigation, next steps will be determined after a thorough and comprehensive review of the information, evidence and other material that has been obtained to date.

The IIO and the involved police service (RCMP Cranbrook) continue to work co-operatively 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.

Once the IIO investigation is completed, the Chief Civilian Director will determine if he believes an offence may have taken place. If yes, he will refer the case to Crown counsel. If there is no report made to Crown counsel, the Chief Civilian Director will release a public report relating to the IIO investigation and his findings.

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
owen.court@iiobc.ca