IIO Update September 21, 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 Acting Chief Civilian Director has sustained jurisdiction and a full investigation is underway (since last update Sept 4).
IIO 15-124 Vancouver Police Department (serious harm)
On September 1, 2015, officers with the VPD responded to a complaint regarding an assault at a hotel. Officers located the subject of the complaint and a struggle ensued. While being placed into custody, the man sustained serious injury and was taken to hospital.
IIO 15-127 Victoria Police Department (serious harm)
On September 10, 2015, an off-duty police officer struck a male pedestrian outside of the Victoria Police Department parking lot. The man was injured and transferred to Victoria General Hospital for surgery.
IIO 15-128 Penticton RCMP (death)
On September 15, 2015 at approximately 5 pm, a vehicle being driven by an off-duty police officer of the Penticton RCMP struck a four-year old pedestrian. The collision took place in the intersection of Fairview Road and Highway 97. The boy was crossing the road when the vehicle struck him. The child did not survive his injuries.
IIO 15-130 Burnaby RCMP
According to police, on September 18, 2015 at approximately 7 am, police responded to a call for shots fired at a residence in the 3800 block of Frances St. Multiple police agencies responded to the call. According to police, attempts to negotiate with the subject of the complaint failed. Police entered the home, located a male and shots were fired. The male was pronounced deceased at the scene.
In all of these cases, the IIO was notified, jurisdiction was sustained and a full investigation is underway.
Preliminary investigations: pending jurisdiction decisions
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 15-088 Prince George RCMP (serious harm)
IIO 15-102 Prince George RCMP (serious harm)
IIO 15-129 Saanich Police Department (new)
On September 16, 2015 at 4 am, officers from the Victoria Police Department responded to a call at a residence. There, they located a child (who was pronounced deceased at the scene) and an adult in medical distress. According to police, an officer from the Saanich Police Department had been in brief contact with the adult and child the previous day. A preliminary investigation is underway to determine if there is a nexus between the death and the actions of the officer.
Reports to the Criminal Justice Branch
These are cases where the Acting Chief Civilian Director found that an offence may have been committed and as a result he is obliged under the Police Act to refer the file to the Criminal Justice Branch.
IIO 14-134 Chilliwack RCMP (serious harm)
Clear Statements by the Criminal Justice Branch
In each of these cases CJB has concluded that the available evidence does not meet the required threshold to approve charges. A Clear Statement explaining these decisions in greater detail is attached.
IIO 14-158 Kamloops RCMP (serious harm)
IIO 14-174 Vancouver Police Department (serious harm)
Marten Youssef
Manager, Strategic Communications
Marten.Youssef@iiobc.ca