The Independent Investigations Office

The Independent Investigation Office (IIO) is mandated to conduct investigations into police-involved incidents of death or serious harm. There does not need to be any allegation of wrongdoing for the IIO to conduct an investigation.  

The IIO is led by the Chief Civilian Director (CCD) who cannot ever have served as a police officer. The position is a five-year order-in-council appointment. Based on the evidence, the CCD will determine whether reasonable grounds exist to believe any officer may have committed an offence. If the CCD finds that reasonable grounds do exist, the incident will be referred to the BC Prosecution Service for consideration of charges. If charges are approved, they are laid by the IIO.

The IIO is operationally independent from government. The office is subject to usual fiscal and public service regulation, and the CCD is accountable to the Deputy Attorney General for the operation of the office.

B.C. police agencies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the IIO in 2020. It represents the agreements made between the IIO, the RCMP and all other police agencies in British Columbia to facilitate efficient, effective and timely investigations.

In 2020, the IIO issued the Guidelines and Expectations with Respect to the Conduct of IIO Investigations, a supplementary document to the above-noted MOU. These are intended to provide clarity for officers with respect to the protocols and expectations of the IIO in its investigations, and with respect to the statutory requirement that all officers cooperate fully with IIO investigators in the execution of their duty.

The Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner is an independent office of the legislature. It examines the conduct of members of independent municipal police departments. It does not engage in criminal investigations.

The federal Civilian Review and Complaints Commission responds to complaints about the conduct of members of the RCMP.