The Criminal Justice Branch (CJB) of the B.C. Ministry of Justice announced this week that no charges have been approved against two members of the Smithers RCMP involved in an arrest of an individual on Aug. 14, 2015.
According to the an investigation by the Independent Investigations Office (IIO), which subsequently submitted a Report to Crown Counsel, during the arrest, the suspect became combative and had to be physically restrained. The suspect suffered a lacerated kidney and spleen as a result.
Following an investigation where the Chief Civilian Director of the IIO determines that an officer or officers may have committed an offence, the IIO submits a report to the CJB. The Chief Civilian Director does not make a recommendation on whether charges should be approved.
In this case, the CJB concluded that the available evidence does not meet the CJB’s charge assessment standard. The CJB would not be able to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that either of the officers committed a criminal offence or used excessive force in the administration or enforcement of the law. No charges have been approved.
The potential charges against the officers that were considered included assault causing bodily harm, and assault with a weapon.
On the evening of the incident, the police had received three reports involving the suspect, including the alleged assault of a boy pushed off a trampoline and woman who believed he was trying to break her door down.
The officers used a Taser, pepper spray and a baton during the altercation. He was treated non-surgically and released from the hospital on August 19, 2015
Read the full story in the April 19 edition of The Interior News.