BC Prosecution Service Media Statements for 2020

Last updated on January 11, 2021

December 18, 2020

Special Prosecutors approve charges following investigation at BC Legislature 
Victoria - The BC Prosecution Service (BCPS) announced that Special Prosecutors David Butcher QC and Brock Martland QC have approved charges following an extensive RCMP investigation into the activities of senior staff at the British Columbia Legislature.

December 16, 2020

No charges approved following IIO investigation into the death of Myles Gray; Clear Statement 
Victoria - The BC Prosecution Service (BCPS) announced that no charges have been approved against the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) officers involved in the arrest of Myles Gray on August 13, 2015 in Burnaby BC. During the incident Mr. Gray suffered extensive injuries. While he was being restrained by the VPD officers he went into cardiac arrest and died. The forensic pathologist who conducted the autopsy could not determine the specific cause of death.

December 8, 2020

Assault charges approved against Vancouver Police Department officers 
Victoria - The BC Prosecution Service (BCPS) announced that charges of assault and assault with a weapon have been approved against two Vancouver Police Department officers in connection with their involvement in the arrest of Jamiel Moore-Williams following an incident that occurred in the downtown area of Vancouver on February 11, 2018.

November 24, 2020

Special Prosecutor concludes involvement in Bountiful prosecution 
Victoria - The BC Prosecution Service (BCPS) announced that Special Prosecutor Peter Wilson QC has declined to approve any further charges arising from investigations into the conduct of individuals associated with the community of Bountiful. This decision brings the matter to a close and concludes the involvement of the Special Prosecutor.

October 8, 2020

Charges approved against Nanaimo RCMP Officer 
Victoria - The BC Prosecution Service (BCPS) announced that a charge of assault causing bodily harm has been approved against a Nanaimo RCMP officer in connection with his involvement in the arrest and subsequent detention of an individual for public intoxication.

August 17, 2020

Announcement of New Disclosure Memorandum of Understanding 
Victoria - The BC Prosecution Service (BCPS) released the attached Joint Statement announcing a new Memorandum of Understanding between the BCPS, the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, and all police agencies in British Columbia regarding disclosure in criminal and regulatory prosecutions.

July 31, 2020

No charges approved against Langley RCMP Officer
Victoria - The BC Prosecution Service (BCPS) announced that no charges have been approved against a Langley RCMP officer involved in an off-duty motor vehicle collision on July 1, 2019. The collision involved a motorcyclist who sustained serious injuries.

July 8, 2020

BC Prosecution Service approves charges against Trail RCMP Officer
Victoria - The BC Prosecution Service (BCPS) announced that charges have been approved against Trail RCMP Cst. Steven Allan Murchie of breach of trust in connection with the duties of his office, criminal harassment, and forcible entry.

June 23, 2020

North Vancouver RCMP officer charged with assault
Victoria - The BC Prosecution Service (BCPS) announced that a charge of assault has been approved against North Vancouver RCMP Cst. Hirday Olak in connection with his involvement in the arrest of a suspect on October 8, 2019.

June 17, 2020

Dangerous Driving charges approved against Kamloops RCMP officer
Victoria - The BC Prosecution Service (BCPS) announced that a charge of dangerous driving has been approved against a Kamloops RCMP officer. The charge relates to a police pursuit of a suspect alleged to be driving a stolen vehicle in Kamloops in December 2018. 

June 17, 2020

Special Prosecutor Appointed
Victoria - The BC Prosecution Service (BCPS) announced that on August 29, 2017, Assistant Deputy Attorney General Peter Juk QC (ADAG) appointed Joseph Doyle QC Special Prosecutor to provide advice and assistance to the RCMP in the course of their investigation into the conduct of Vancouver Police Department (VPD) officers involved in the investigation of former VPD detective James Fisher. 

June 8, 2020

BC Prosecution Service approves charges against Prince George RCMP officers
Victoria - The BC Prosecution Service (BCPS) announced that charges have been approved against three Prince George RCMP officers in connection with their involvement in the arrest of two suspects on February 18, 2016, in a residential neighbourhood in Prince George. 

May 25, 2020

BC Prosecution Service announces Appointment of Special Prosecutor
Victoria - The BC Prosecution Service (BCPS) announced that on March 5, 2020 Dirk Ryneveld QC was appointed Special Prosecutor in relation to allegations of mischief and trespass by individuals at the home of John Horgan, Premier of British Columbia.

May 11, 2020

Special Prosecutor concludes involvement in BC Election Act investigation
Victoria - The BC Prosecution Service (BCPS) confirmed that Special Prosecutor David Butcher QC has concluded his involvement in the investigation conducted by the RCMP into allegations of indirect political contributions and other potential contraventions of the BC Election Act.

April 3, 2020

Special Prosecutor concludes involvement in MLA Jinny Sims investigation
Victoria - The BC Prosecution Service (BCPS) confirmed that Special Prosecutor Richard Peck QC has concluded his involvement in the investigation conducted by the RCMP into allegations of criminal wrongdoing against MLA Jinny Sims and other persons. 

January 16, 2020

BC Prosecution Service (BCPS) announces appointment of Special Prosecutor
Victoria - The BC Prosecution Service (BCPS) announced that Marylin Sandford QC has been appointed Special Prosecutor to conduct an independent review of the conduct of the BCPS in the prosecution of R. v. Bouvette, Cranbrook file # 29382. The file was concluded in 2013 and involved a conviction for criminal negligence causing death. Ms. Sandford was appointed following media inquires about disclosure issues involving the pathologist on the case. 

January 15, 2020

No charges approved following motor vehicle incident involving Langley RCMP officer; Clear Statement
Victoria - The BC Prosecution Service (BCPS) announced that no charges have been approved against a member of the Langley RCMP in relation to a June 21, 2017, incident between an RCMP vehicle and a motorcycle which resulted in serious injuries to the operator of the motorcycle.