A wanted man was seriously injured after he fell three storeys from a Port Moody building in September 2021 in an effort to evade arrest.
However, potential charges are being considered against a PMPD officer as B.C.'s police watchdog believes there are "reasonable grounds" they committed an offence during the incident.
A report has been submitted to the BC Prosecution Service for consideration of charges, the Independent Investigations Office (IIO) announced in a statement today (April 7).
It adds this comes after a lengthy review of the evidence collected.
"In order to approve any charges, the BC Prosecution Service must be satisfied that there is a substantial likelihood of conviction based on the evidence gathered by the IIO, and that prosecution be required in the public interest."
Around 3 p.m. on Sept. 15, members of the PMPD attempted to arrest a man on outstanding warrants at a residence on April Road.
To try and escape, he exited the building from a third-storey balcony and fell onto the second-storey roof before hitting the ground.
The man was seriously injured during the fall and tried to flee on foot, but police ultimately took him into custody before he was transported to hospital for treatment.
IIO chief civilian director Ronald J. MacDonald, QC, determined — based on evidence gathered — there is reason to believe a PMPD officer allegedly committed an offence "in relation to the entry of the residence and arrest."
The report was filed under the Police Act resulting from the investigation.
The IIO says no other information is being released at this time.
