Image Credit: IIO

By James Peters

IIO

Police watchdog clears Chase RCMP officer who spoke to teen moments before her suicide attempt

Mar 24, 2021 | 10:50 AM

CHASE, B.C. — The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. (IIO) has cleared a Chase RCMP officer who spoke briefly to a teenaged girl just before she attempted to die by suicide last fall.

The incident took place on October 2, 2020 in Chase. The officer was patrolling after RCMP received a report of a girl who had thrown herself in front of a vehicle on Pine Street.

According to a report by IIO Chief Civilian Director Ron MacDonald, the officer soon came across a girl matching the vague description RCMP were given, walking on the sidewalk.

When the officer got out of his vehicle and inquired as to her safety, she told him to “f*** off”, prompting the officer to leave.

Moments later, the girl jumped from the nearby Pine Street Bridge, landing on the beach next to the South Thompson River. She survived but sustained very serious injuries.

Question of the Week

Do you think a minority government could be a positive for British Columbia?

Oct 21, 2024

Week in Review

Week in Review: Week of Oct. 14

Oct 20, 2024

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: The mind doesn't always listen

Oct 20, 2024

In his report, MacDonald concluded the officer was justified in leaving the girl, considering she did not want his presence. Further, MacDonald noted the officer did not have lawful basis to detain her based on the vague description and incomplete information regarding her desire to do herself harm.

Read the full report here.