The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC is recommending charges against a Duncan RCMP officer for shooting a man during an incident in March of 2023.
The IIO’s mandate is to investigate any situation as a neutral entity where an individual is hurt or killed due to the actions or inaction of police.
In this particular incident, on the evening of March 28th, 2023, North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP responded to a report of a man driving a skid-steer ‘bobcat’ in a residential area of Duncan.
Police reportedly located the man near Evans Park and tried to apprehend him.
According to the IIO, the suspect drove the bobcat into police vehicles and police responded by opening fire at the man.
As the man was shot by police, he was transported to hospital with serious injuries before being released at a later date.
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On Wednesday, May 21st, the IIO announced that upon completing their investigation into this incident, there are reasonable grounds to press charges against one officer involved in relation to the use of a firearm.
The IIO has now forwarded a report to the BC Prosecution Service for consideration of charges.
To press charges, BC 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 IIO said no further details would be released while the case is with the Crown.
In addition to looking into this incident, the BC Prosecution Service has moved forward with approving charges against Nanaimo RCMP officer Cst. Mark Hilland for “breach of trust” in a separate case.
The charges against Cst. Hilland are in relation to events that occurred in Nanaimo between July 2nd and 3rd of 2024, though the specifics of the charges have not been revealed at this time.
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