Independent Investigations deployed to police shooting

INFORMATION BULLETIN

Independent Investigations Office of BC
For Immediate Release
Sept. 11, 2012

Independent Investigations deployed to police shooting

SURREY – The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) confirms that investigators have been deployed to Prince George in response to a fatal police shooting.

At 19:36 hours (7:36 p.m.), Sept. 10, 2012, the IIO was notified of the incident by RCMP in Prince George.  According to the notification, police had been involved in an incident throughout the day requiring the dispatch of the RCMP Emergency Response Team (ERT).  During the course of the incident, contact was made with an individual. One shot was fired resulting in the death of this person.

IIO investigators were deployed and were on scene in Prince George at 00:12 hours (12:12 a.m.) Sept. 11, 2012 and asserted jurisdiction over the incident.

As per the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Chief Civilian Director and B.C.’s police services, the scene was held and secured until IIO investigators arrived.

Additional IIO investigators are en route to Prince George this morning, including a specialised investigator who will assist any family members or other persons affected by the investigation.

By late morning today, it is expected that a total of 10 IIO staff will be in Prince George.

Over the course of the IIO investigation, it is expected that the IIO and RCMP will work within the parameters set out in the MOU including meeting the expectations related to co-operation, scene examination and seizing of evidence, and interviews with witness officers.

Once the IIO investigation is completed, the Chief Civilian Director will determine if he believes an offence may have taken place and if yes, he will make a report to Crown counsel. The Chief Civilian Director intends to issue a public report at the time he makes such decisions.

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.

Quick Facts:

  • The IIO was established under amendments to B.C.’s Police Act passed by the Legislature in 2011.
  • To ensure there is no perception of bias, the law provides that the Chief Civilian Director cannot be a person who is a current or former member of a police force or RCMP. No investigator may be appointed who has been a member of a police force in B.C. within the past five years.
  • The IIO has moved into the new facility in Surrey and is expected to have 60 full-time staff and its  investigative teams will be deployed across the province as required
  • The IIO investigators, both civilians and former police officers, have completed significant training at the Justice Institute of BC and the Canadian Police College.
  • On or before Jan. 1, 2015, a special committee of the legislature will review the progress made towards the IIO being staffed solely with civilians who have never been police officers.

Learn More:

Independent Investigation Office website: http://www.iiobc.ca/

Contact:

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

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