Image Credit: IIO

By James Peters

IIO

No grounds for charges against tribal police officer in Lillooet woman’s suicide

Jun 29, 2020 | 11:32 AM

LILLOOET, B.C. — The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) says a tribal police officer ‘acted commendably’ in trying to save a suicidal woman near Lillooet last February, and should not face charges.

On February 29 of this year, an officer from the Stl’atl’imx Tribal Police was called to respond to the report of a suicidal woman near the Fraser River.

The officer found the woman in a car on the bank of the river and knocked on the passenger window.

The woman drove off, eventually driving her car into the river.

Both the responding officer and an RCMP member called to assist swam out in the frigid waters to the car, but could not succeed in saving the woman.

Week in Review

Week in Review: Week of Sept. 30

Oct 05, 2024

Two and Out

PETERS: Four dogs will die and the owners responsible will get away with it

Oct 04, 2024

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: October 3, 2024

Oct 04, 2024

Rescue personnel with cables and dry suits responded within an hour, pulling the care to shore. Firefighters and paramedics tried to revive the woman for nearly two hours before she was pronounced dead.

In his report, IIO Chief Civilian Director Ronald McDonald said both officers risked their own lives without safety equipment, but the woman was determined not to be saved.

McDonald says there are no reasonable grounds that the tribal police officer committed any offence.

SUMMARY REPORT: (Note: While the report states the date of the incident was 2019, the IIO has confirmed to CFJC Today that it took place in 2020.)