Independent Investigations Office takes court action against VPD
Posted March 24, 2017 2:06 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The chief of the Vancouver Police Department and several of his officers are facing legal action alleging they violated their duty to co-operate with an independent civilian investigation of a fatal police-involved shooting.
Albert Phipps, interim director of the Independent Investigations Office, has filed a petition in BC Supreme Court seeking an order forcing Chief Adam Palmer to compel seven officers to take part in interviews with civilian investigators.
The IIO is examining the shooting of 38-year-old Daniel Rintoul during an alleged robbery and stabbing at a Canadian Tire store on Nov. 10, 2016.
According to the petition, the seven officers will not speak to independent investigators without first reviewing videos of the shooting, though the office has rejected the request, saying the videos could distort their memories.
The petition says lawyer Ravi Hira, who represents one of the constables, wrote the office an email saying his client was concerned about not being allowed to refresh his memory and wanted immunity from any potential charges, including obstruction of justice.
But the Independent Investigations Office says police have a statutory duty to co-operate and it wants the court to force Palmer to require his members to do that.
