Image Credit: CKPG Today

By CKPG Today

IN-CUSTODY DEATH

IIO investigation leads to consideration of charges against Prince George police officer

Jul 16, 2019 | 4:55 PM

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. — The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. in Surrey has filed a report to the B.C. Prosecution Service for their consideration of charges.

It relates to an in-custody death in Prince George involving the RCMP back on July 18, 2017.

At the time, Mounties reported that at around 10:30 p.m. that night, officers responded to a call of a male casing vehicles in the 1000 block of Central Street West. A struggle ensued and pepper spray was used in the process of apprehending the man.

The man appeared to be having trouble breathing and police requested medical assistance. Police say once the ambulance arrived, the man was taken out of the police vehicle and collapsed. He was pronounced dead shortly after.

The IIO is forwarding the matter to Crown for consideration of charges in relation to issues surrounding the use of force during the struggle with the male and in relation to allegations of obstruction of justice in relation to the deletion of video from a civilian phone.

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In the review of the case, the Chief Civilian Director of the IIO will be forwarding a report to the B.C. Prosection Service for consideration of charges. The IIO says this is done when the civilian director finds reasonable grounds to believe an offence has been committed.

In approving the charges, the B.C. Prosecution Service must be satisfied there is a substantial likelihood of conviction based on the evidence gathered by the IIO and that the prosecution is in the public interest.