A Vancouver police officer has been fined $2,000 after striking a pedestrian with their cruiser last year.
According to the Independent Investigations Office (IIO), the incident occurred on March 20, 2020, when the officer was responding to a call for service. The officer was driving their marked police vehicle when they struck a pedestrian who was crossing the street at an intersection.
The pedestrian sustained serious injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment. The IIO was notified of the incident and launched an investigation into the officer’s actions.
After reviewing the evidence and conducting interviews, the IIO determined that the officer had failed to yield to the pedestrian and had not activated their emergency lights or siren while responding to the call. As a result, the officer was charged with driving without due care and attention under the Motor Vehicle Act.
In court, the officer pleaded guilty to the charge and was fined $2,000. They also received six penalty points on their driver’s license.
The IIO has stated that the officer’s actions were not intentional and that they have taken responsibility for their actions. The officer has also expressed remorse for the incident and has completed additional training on emergency vehicle operation.
The IIO has also noted that the officer’s disciplinary record will be reviewed by the Vancouver Police Department’s Professional Standards Section.
This incident serves as a reminder for all emergency responders to exercise caution and follow proper protocols while operating their vehicles. The safety of the public should always be the top priority.
The IIO has concluded their investigation and will not be making any further comments on the matter.
