IIO Update November 13, 2015
INFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release
This update includes those new cases under investigation (where serious harm/death and nexus has been confirmed); those cases under preliminary investigation (where serious harm or nexus remains unconfirmed); and updates to those cases where jurisdiction has been released.
The Chief Civilian Director will sustain jurisdiction if serious harm/death AND a nexus or relationship between the injury and an officer’s action are confirmed.
If the preliminary investigation does not establish serious harm and nexus, the Chief Civilian Director will release all jurisdiction.
New Investigations: Jurisdiction Sustained
These are new cases where the Chief Civilian Director has sustained jurisdiction and a full investigation is underway (since last update October 22, 2015).
IIO 15-147 University of British Columbia RCMP (serious harm)
On November 4, 2015 RCMP officers at the University of British Columbia were responding to a report of a theft in progress. Officers located the male affected person and in the process of arresting the man, he received serious injuries. The affected person was transferred to Vancouver General Hospital for treatment.
IIO 15-151 Vancouver Police Department (serious harm)
On November 9, 2015 officers with the Vancouver Police Department were responding to a call for a man causing a disturbance. Officers located the affected person and in the course of arresting the man, he received a serious injury and was transferred to St. Paul’s Hospital for treatment.
In these cases, the IIO was notified, jurisdiction was sustained and a full investigation is underway.
Preliminary investigations
These are cases where the IIO has been notified by the police and are still under preliminary investigation.
IIO 15-083 Surrey RCMP (serious harm)
IIO 15-102 Prince George RCMP (serious harm)
IIO 15-145 Terrace RCMP (nexus) NEW
On October 26, 2015 Terrace RCMP officers responded to a call of a sudden and unexpected death of a male affected person. Police were in contact with the affected person two days prior to his death. A preliminary investigation is underway to determine if there is a nexus between the actions or inactions of the police and the man’s death.
IIO 15-146 Nanaimo RCMP (serious harm) NEW
On November 3, 2015 officers with the Nanaimo RCMP were responding to a call of a suicidal male. Officers located the male affected person, and in the process of taking him into custody, he received serious injuries. He was transported to Nanaimo General Hospital for treatment.
IIO 15-148 Port Alberni RCMP (serious harm) NEW
On October 2, 2015 Port Alberni RCMP officers responded to a complaint of a female causing a disturbance at a residence. Officers located the affected person and in the process of her arrest, she received serious injuries and required medical treatment.
IIO 15-149 Vancouver Police Department (serious harm) NEW
On November 6, 2015 officers with the Vancouver Police Department were responding a call of a break and enter. Officers located two men and in the process of arresting one of the men, a police service dog was deployed. The male affected person received a dog bite and required medical intervention.
Jurisdiction released
These are cases where the Chief Civilian Director has released jurisdiction in the absence of a nexus or serious harm.
IIO 15-088 Prince George RCMP (no serious harm)
IIO 15-150 Nanaimo RCMP (no serious harm)
On November 6, 2015 officers with the Nanaimo RCMP were responding to a call of a child causing a disturbance. Officers arrived on the scene and while taking the child into custody, he received serious injuries. He was transferred to hospital for treatment.
Public Reports
Public reports are issued upon the conclusion of an investigation when the Chief Civilian Director determines that no officer committed an offence.
IIO 14-218 Vancouver Police Department (death)
Marten Youssef
Manager, Strategic Communications
Marten.Youssef@iiobc.ca