Elkwood RCMP detachment serving Fernie, B.C.
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November 19, 2014 - 4:31 PM
VICTORIA - British Columbia's criminal justice branch has opted not to charge two RCMP officers who were involved in a high-speed chase between Fernie and Sparwood in southeastern B.C. earlier this year.
The SUV the officers were chasing in the early morning hours of Jan. 16 slammed into another vehicle, injuring the passengers inside.
When the chase and subsequent arrest were investigated by the Independent Investigations Office a report was submitted for charge assessment that indicated the officers may have committed an offence.
A statement from the Criminal Justice Branch released Wednesday says there's no substantial likelihood of conviction for any driving offences against the officers either under the Criminal Code or under the provincial Motor Vehicle Act.
The branch says it has also concluded that the available evidence doesn't prove that the force used by the officers in the course of arresting the driver was excessive in all circumstances.
The driver of the SUV pleaded guilty in March to two counts of impaired driving causing bodily harm, flight from a peace officer and dangerous driving and received an 18-month jail term.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2014