IIO Update September 12, 2014

New Investigations – Jurisdiction Sustained

IIO 14-00143 – New Westminster Police Department
On August 15, 2014 an adult male sustained serious self-inflicted injuries while he was being taken into custody by the New Westminster Police Department. He was immediately hospitalized for treatment and the incident was reported to the IIO without delay.

IIO 14-00150 – Hope RCMP
On August 25, 2014, an adult male sustained serious injuries after he reportedly fell while in the custody of the Hope RCMP. He was immediately hospitalized for treatment and the incident was reported to the IIO without delay.

In both cases, jurisdiction was asserted and sustained. The investigations are ongoing. Where there are concurrent investigations into the actions of the affected persons, the local police agency maintains full jurisdiction. In addition, there have been IIO deployments across the province where preliminary investigations are underway; however, the sustained jurisdiction decision remains pending.

Investigation Closed

IIO 14-122 Vancouver

At approximately 7 p.m. on July 13, VPD officers responded to an unrelated call near the south side of the 300 block of E. Hastings Street. During this response, the officer driving the police wagon drove over the foot of a female who was in the laneway. The affected person sustained serious injuries to her foot and was transported to hospital for medical care. The matter was reported to the IIO and jurisdiction was asserted the following day.

Subsequent investigation by the IIO, including a review of medical records, clarified that the injuries sustained by the affected person do not meet the Police Act definition of serious harm. The IIO investigation was therefore closed on September 11, 2014.

Special Committee to Review the IIO

On September 11, the Special Committee to Review the IIO held a public hearing in Vancouver.  A transcript of the proceedings can be found here:

http://www.leg.bc.ca/cmt/40thParl/session-2/iio/hansard/20140911am-IIOReview-Vancouver-Blues.htm

Transcripts to previous Special Committee proceedings can be found here:

http://www.leg.bc.ca/cmt/iio/index.asp

Contact:  owen.court@iiobc.ca