An Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) representative spoke to South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce members about the IIO and its mission in investigating serious police-related incidents in 100 Mile House on July 10.
IIO senior investigator and spokesperson Ralph Krenz is travelling around the province this summer to present information about how the new IIO office investigates issues of police officer conduct and police-related offences in British Columbia.
"We communicate what it's up to, how it's doing, how it's structured, how it looks at cases and what it is doing operationally."
Krenz is based in Surrey, but says he follows up on police matters that occur throughout the province, so the tour will focus on 21 communities outside of the Lower Mainland this year in a community engagement strategy that will run through 2014.
He adds chief civilian director Richard Rosenthal is leading the public information tour and speaks in the larger municipalities – either together with or separately from Krenz.
They meet with stakeholders and staff in school districts, youth and mental health workers, organizations and the general public to ensure communities are well informed of the IIO's mandate, operations and investigative structure, Krenz notes.
The presentation details the background of the IIO, why it was created, who is involved, where its jurisdiction lies, and how the investigation and notifications come together, he says.
"[Then it goes] into what the investigation framework is between our investigators, and the memorandum of understanding between the police agencies across the province – RCMP and all the municipal police – in terms of how we are going to work together to achieve our outcomes."
The creation of the IIO last fall profoundly changes the way police officers in B.C. are investigated for police-related incidents of death, serious disfigurement or loss or impairment of mobility, Krenz explains.
The IIO’s jurisdiction extends to officers appointed as special provincial constables, certain tribal police, municipal constables and members of the RCMP in B.C. - both on and off duty.
"They are notified, and then we roll out and conduct the investigation."
These investigations look for evidence of "criminal culpability," Krenz says, adding the IIO then reports its findings to Crown council.
However, he notes in 97 per cent of the cases the officers reported are found to have acted within their authority.
A public bulletin is then issued and posted on the IIO website, Krenz says, adding these decisions and the resulting reports are the sole responsibility of Rosenthal and all investigations result in a report to the Crown.
He explains the presentation covers what that reporting looks like and who can see it, as transparency is now a key component of the IIO.
"We really want to report out to the public exactly what we are doing. They can read that decision themselves, and look at it and understand how the chief civilian director came to that decision. So it is quite a shift in terms of transparency."
Krenz adds he strongly encourages folks who did not attend the chamber meeting to visit the website at www.iiobc.ca for more information about the IIO, and where all reports are posted for public review.