Police watchdog finds evidence for charges against B.C. RCMP officer after man seriously injured in traffic stop
British Columbia's police watchdog has found evidence for charges against a Vancouver Island RCMP officer after a man suffered serious injuries during a traffic stop last year.
Mounties in Ladysmith, B.C., used their police vehicle to stop a white Pontiac Montana minivan in the 100-block of Highway 1 when the driver did not pull over shortly after midnight on April 17, 2021.
The officers used a police dog to subdue the driver, who sustained serious bite wounds.
The man was taken to hospital for treatment of his injuries and the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. immediately opened an investigation into the actions of the officers.
On Thursday, the police watchdog said it had filed its investigative report to the B.C. Prosecution Service for consideration of charges against one of the officers.
Ronald J. MacDonald, the IIO's chief civilian director, reviewed the evidence and determined that "reasonable grounds exist to believe that one officer may have committed an offence in relation to their driving and the use of a police service dog," the IIO said in a statement.
"In order to approve any charges, the B.C. Prosecution Service must be satisfied that there is a substantial likelihood of conviction based on the evidence gathered by the IIO, and that prosecution be required in the public interest," the agency said.
The IIO is the civilian organization tasked with investigating all incidents involving police officers in B.C. that result in death or serious injury, whether or not there is an allegation of wrongdoing on the part of police.
The IIO said it will not be making any further comments on the case now that it is before the Crown for consideration of charges.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.