BURSTThe unfolding police incident on April 15 in Quesnel did not meet the threshold for a public alert, RCMP say.
In a press release, Staff Sgt. Kris Clark, senior media relations officer for RCMP E Division, said the Independent Investigation Office of B.C. (IIO) has jurisdiction over the investigation into police actions during the incident, which affects how and when information can be released.
Clark noted that while public interest is high, the situation did not meet the criteria required to issue a public alert.
During the incident, the detachment commander responded to media inquiries with limited information, describing reports of shots fired near Nason Street, a heavy police presence, and advising nearby residents to remain in their homes and others to avoid the area.
However, Clark said the commander was unable to respond to all requests as the situation unfolded.
“By the time I became aware of the unfolding event, the IIO BC had been notified and asserted jurisdiction,” he added.
Although the IIO leads such investigations, Clark said the RCMP is typically allowed to issue the first public statement, a process that requires multiple approvals from both agencies.
“This process takes time, as evidenced by other recent assertions and the public notifications that followed. While we work as quickly as possible, there are always multiple factors that impact the urgency at which the process is completed,” Clark said.
“Priority will always be given to informing the community of any ongoing risk to public safety.”
Clark said while the public may want immediate details, careful information is essential when an independent investigation is underway.
“I want to be very clear when I say that while I understand the public’s interest and the desire to know as much information as quickly as possible, rushing to provide that information always risks the integrity, transparency and independence of the IIO BC investigation.”