BC Prosecution Service Media Statements for 2018

December 10, 2018

Special Prosecutor Issues Clear Statement re: Draft Multicultural Strategic Outreach Plan
Victoria - The BC Prosecution Service announced that Special Prosecutor David Butcher QC has issued a Clear Statement addressing his involvement in the investigation and prosecution of individuals following the receipt by the RCMP of a complaint arising out of the Review of the Draft Multicultural Strategic Outreach Plan, a report that was completed in March 2013 by the then Deputy Minister to the Premier.

December 5, 2018

New Special Prosecutor Appointed in R v Strimbold
Victoria - The BC Prosecution Service announced that a new Special Prosecutor has been appointed following the withdrawal of Special Prosecutor Leonard Doust QC from the prosecution of Luke Strimbold for personal reasons.

November 20, 2018

Special Prosecutors Appointed
Victoria - The BC Prosecution Service announced that David Butcher QC and Brock Martland have been appointed as Special Prosecutors to provide legal assistance and advice to the RCMP in relation to an investigation being conducted into the activities of senior staff at the British Columbia Legislature.

November 14, 2018

No Charges Approved in Allegation of Theft by Abbotsford Police Officer
Victoria - The BC Prosecution Service announced that no charges have been approved following an allegation of theft of money by a police officer during a search of an Abbotsford residence pursuant to a search warrant.

October 26, 2018

BC Prosecution Service Receives Recommendations Following Review of Darling Prosecution
Victoria - The BC Prosecution Service announced it has received the results of an internal review of the prosecution of Larry Darling for the murder of Kristy Morrey in Port Alberni. On June 13, 2018 Crown Counsel directed a stay of proceedings of the first degree murder charge against Mr. Darling.

September 11, 2018

Special Prosecutor Concludes Involvement Regarding Robert Dziekanski
Victoria - The BC Prosecution Service announced that Special Prosecutor Richard Peck QC has concluded his involvement in the prosecutions related to the in-custody death of Robert Dziekanski..

August 23, 2018

Charges Approved Against Ridge Meadows RCMP Member
Victoria - The BC Prosecution Service announced that criminal charges have been approved against a Ridge Meadows RCMP Cst. Gregory Scott Bakker as a result of an investigation into conduct that is alleged to have occurred between July and November 2016 at or near Abbotsford, Langley, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows and Surrey, British Columbia.

August 9, 2018

Special Prosecutor Files Direct Indictment Alleging Additional Charges in Luke Strimbold Case
Victoria - The BC Prosecution Service announced that Special Prosecutor Leonard Doust QC has approved the majority of the initial charges sworn by Burns Lake RCMP against Luke Strimbold on February 3, 2018, and has also approved further sex-related charges involving three additional complainants..

July 12, 2018

BC Prosecution Service Releases Clear Statement Following IIO Investigation into Police Dog Handler
Victoria - On January 4, 2018, the BC Prosecution Service announced that no charges were approved against a Vancouver Police Department officer who deployed his police service dog during an arrest of a suspect in Vancouver on March 16, 2016. The incident was investigated by the Independent Investigations Office. A Clear Statement is now available..

June 29, 2018

BC Prosecution Service Approves Assault Charge Against Vancouver Police Officer
Victoria - The BC Prosecution Service announced that a charge of assault causing bodily harm has been approved against Cst. Ken Starnworth of the Vancouver Police Department in relation to an on-duty incident that occurred on March 1, 2016 in downtown Vancouver.

June 14, 2018

BC Prosecution Service Announces Appeal of Dangerous Driving Causing Death Acquittal
Victoria - The BC Prosecution Service announced that the Crown has filed an appeal of the acquittal of Ken Chung of a charge alleging dangerous driving causing the death of Alphonsus Hui contrary to section 249 of the Criminal Code.

May 16, 2018

No Charges Approved in Salmon Arm Non-Fatal Police Shooting
Victoria - The BC Prosecution Service announced that no charges have been approved against members of the Salmon Arm RCMP involved in a non-fatal shooting near Salmon Arm on July 3, 2015.

May 14, 2018

Special Prosecutors Approve Criminal Contempt Proceedings
Victoria - The BC Prosecution Service announced that the Special Prosecutors appointed to handle the matters of two members of Parliament arrested along with other protestors at the Trans Mountain Pipeline work site have each, independently, concluded that criminal contempt proceedings for breaches of the injunction are warranted.

May 7, 2018

BC Prosecution Service Approves Assault Charge Against Comox RCMP Officer
Victoria - The BC Prosecution Service announced that a charge of assault has been approved against Cst. Geory Penner of the Comox Valley RCMP. The charge arose out of an on-duty incident that occurred on November 7, 2017 in the Courtenay/Comox area.

April 16, 2018

BC Prosecution Service Assumes Conduct of Contempt Proceedings - Announces Appointment of Special Prosecutors
Victoria – The BC Prosecution Service announced that it will assume conduct of contempt proceedings for breaches of Trans Mountain pipeline's injunction covering its work site in Burnaby.

April 3, 2018

BC Prosecution Service Approves Charges Against Police Officer in Fatal Shooting
Victoria - The BC Prosecution Service announced that a charge of manslaughter using a firearm has been approved against a member of the West Kootenay Traffic Unit of the RCMP in relation to a shooting which occurred during an attempted traffic stop near Castlegar on January 29, 2015.

March 28, 2018

No Charges Approved Following Collision Involving UBC RCMP Officer
Victoria - The BC Prosecution Service announced that no charges have been approved against a member of the UBC Detachment of the RCMP in relation to a November 4, 2015 collision between an RCMP vehicle and a cyclist.

March 23, 2018

No Charges Approved in West Shore RCMP In-custody Incident
Victoria – The BC Prosecution Service announced that no charges have been approved against three members of the West Shore RCMP involved in an in-custody incident which resulted in injuries to a civilian.  

March 22, 2018

Charges Approved Against Prince Rupert RCMP re Motor Vehicle Incident
Victoria - The BC Prosecution Service announced that a charge of driving without due care and attention, contrary to s.144(1)(a) of the Motor Vehicle Act has been approved against Prince Rupert RCMP Cpl. Jeff Easingwood. The charges relate to an incident that occurred on March 25, 2017, while he was on duty in Prince Rupert.

March 22, 2018

Special Prosecutor Approves Peace Bond re Nanaimo City Council Matter
Victoria - The BC Prosecution Service announced that an application to have Tracy Samra bound by the terms of a peace bond pursuant to s.810 of the Criminal Code of Canada has been approved by Special Prosecutor Michael Klein QC.

March 7, 2018

Appointment of Special Prosecutor
Victoria - The BC Prosecution Service announced that Leonard Doust QC has been appointed Special Prosecutor in relation to an investigation which resulted in charges being laid against the former mayor of Burns Lake.

March 1, 2018

BC Prosecution Service Releases Revised Crown Counsel Policy Manual
Victoria - Effective March 1, 2018, the BC Prosecution Service implemented a revised Crown Counsel Policy Manual. These 59 policies and accompanying introduction assist Crown Counsel in carrying out their responsibilities under the Crown Counsel Act.

February 7, 2018

BC Prosecution Service Announces Appointment of Special Prosecutor
Victoria – The BC Prosecution Service (BCPS) announced that on February 2, 2018, the Assistant Deputy Attorney General Peter Juk QC (ADAG) appointed a Special Prosecutor in relation to alleged threats uttered at Nanaimo City Hall.

BC Prosecution Service Directs Stay of Proceedings of Mt. Polley Mines Private Prosecution
Victoria - The BC Prosecution Service announced that it has directed a stay of proceedings in the private prosecution relating to the dam failure at Mt. Polley Mines, near Likely, BC on August 4, 2014. On August 4, 2017, Bev Sellars swore a private Information alleging that Mount Polley Mining Corporation had committed various offences contrary to the provincial Environmental Management Act and Mines Act.

January 4, 2018 

No Charge Approved against Vancouver Police Dog Handler
Victoria - The BC Prosecution Service announced that no charges have been approved against a Vancouver Police Department officer who deployed his police service dog during the arrest of a subject in Vancouver on March 16, 2016. The suspect suffered serious injuries to his arm after being bitten.