Date: Monday, June 24, 2024
File: 23-577
Victoria, BC – On January 6, 2023, an officer observed a person of interest riding an E-Bike. The officer had reason to believe that the person on the bike was wanted on warrants and was considered a danger to the community.
The officer followed at a distance and then observed the E-Bike commit a motor vehicle offence by running a red light in the 300-Block of Gorge Road. The officer activated lights and sirens, and continued to follow the E-Bike at a low speed. When the rider failed to stop, the officer used their vehicle to stop the E-Bike by making contact with the rear wheel of the bike.
The officer discovered that the rider of the bike was not the person they suspected, but was another person wanted on out-of-province warrants for arrest. The rider of the bike was also found to be breaching court-ordered conditions related to a serious offence, was arrested for that breach and subsequently convicted.
Because the suspect claimed to have sustained injuries during this interaction, an investigation took place to determine whether the officer had used an appropriate amount of force. Use of a vehicle is considered an intermediate use of force and falls under the VicPD Use of Force policy, though it is generally rare for officers to use a vehicle as a force option.
VicPD completed the investigation and presented findings to the OPCC with the conclusion that, though injuries were not sustained as claimed, the officer had used an inappropriate amount of force, and the officer was disciplined. Additional details of the investigation and discipline cannot be provided.
The owner of the e-bike commenced the claims process with ICBC by filing court documents recently presented in media. ICBC is contacting the cyclist to clarify the Enhanced Care claims process.
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