Incidents of alleged police misconduct not nearly as frequent as sometimes perceived

NEWS/ POLICE — Based on the experience of the Independent Investigations Office of B.C., incidents of possible police misconduct aren’t nearly as frequent as the public might perceive.

Ralph Krenz, a senior investigator with the office, told the Thompson-Nicola Regional District board of directors on Thursday that of 223 investigations, only two have resulted in possible charges.

Across the country, less that three per cent of complaints result in action being necessary. Of the two B.C. cases, one was in Cranbrook and one in Salmon Arm. There hasn’t been a case in Kamloops.

“Knock on wood,” said Krenz.

The IIOBC was set up after Polish immigrant Robert Dziekanski died after being Tasered by RCMP officers in Vancouver International Airport in 2007.

Krenz told the board IIO have the authority of police officers and can take over scenes of suspicious incidents from police if necessary.

Cases are investigated that result in serious harm or death at the hands of police.

Krenz said some cases are rejected in preliminary stages but his advice to the public is when in doubt call the IIO.

The most recent case involves a shooting incident involving the Vancouver Police Department on Monday. VPD officers answered a 911 call to a residence where man they said had a knife was shot by an officer.

The IIO has expanded its investigation into whether a woman who died at the scene was struck by a police bullet after her death.

The IIO has a budget of about $7 million.