The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) is not recommending charges for a Prince Rupert RCMP officer after a man’s arm was broken while being taken into custody on June 23, 2016.
The man was found drunk in a public place at 2:05 p.m. in a flower bed between Safeway and the BC Liquor Store. When the officer attempted to arrest him, the man’s arm was broken above the elbow. The IIO was notified of the incident on the same day and investigated the police officers actions.
READ MORE: WITNESSES SOUGHT FOLLOWING ARREST BY RUPERT RCMP
On Nov. 14, the decision by the IIO stated that: “The evidence collected does not provide grounds to consider any charges against Officer 1. Indeed, the evidence shows that Officer 1 acted as required by his duties as a police officer. The force he did apply was primarily to protect himself from the actions of AP (Afflicted Person). Any injury caused was unintentional.”
The investigation office collected statements from the injured man, emergency services employees and six civilians, listened to recordings of police radio transmissions, looked at the medical records of the man who was injured and reviewed photos from the scene.
In the report, witnesses said the man was aggressive and seriously intoxicated. When paramedics arrive, the officer said he “felt a snap in his arm” when he held the man down to handcuff him. The afflicted person later stated he remembered having drinks with friends and then waking up in the hospital with no memory of the incident.
The IIO determined the officer did not use excessive force when detaining the intoxicated man and that he was justified in his actions.
shannon.lough@thenorthernview.com
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