B.C. watchdog investigating death of off-duty police officer in Langley
The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. has been called to Langley to probe the death of an off-duty police officer Wednesday afternoon.
According to a statement, the watchdog was told by local Mounties that police had been called to a business in the 9900-block of 201 Street to try and locate a "man reportedly in distress" at a local business.
The IIO says the man who died has been identified as a member of the Surrey Police Service.
"(He) sustained a serious injury that appears to have been self-inflicted while police were in the building," the agency's statement says. "The man was subsequently pronounced deceased."
SPS spokesperson Ian MacDonald confirms the man was an SPS officer and says the force is now in mourning.
“We want to acknowledge that a member of our organization has passed away, that these are tragic circumstances and we want to support the other officers and civilians that are part of our organization, as well as those who are grieving in our community, including the member’s family,” he told CTV News.
MacDonald said the officer joined the force in May 2022, describing him as a “valuable and contributing member” who worked on the front lines.
The man was also the subject of a Surrey RCMP investigation, and he had been suspended with pay since mid-August 2022.
On Aug. 17, the SPS sent a news release about a member accused of breach of trust.
Sources tell CTV News this officer was the centre of a breach of trust investigation. The SPS confirms the officer who died Wednesday was being investigated by the Surrey RCMP but will never have an opportunity to have the matter dealt with.
“When a police officer signs up for this very challenging career in which they never know what is going to be around the corner, they never know what is in front of them. And sometimes those challenges require that you reach out and ask for help from friends and family,” MacDonald said.
“My message would be that if you are friends or family, and anybody reaches out, whether they're a police officer or not, you do everything you can to help them,” he said.
“I think our responsibility as family members, I think our responsibility as employers, I think our responsibility as a community is to look out for each other and where we can look for ways to help those that need help, regardless of what they do as an occupation,” he said.
Surrey’s mayor offered her condolences.
“It is difficult and tragic to hear of the death of a first responder,” Brenda Locke wrote in a statement. “On behalf of Surrey City Council, we extend our deepest sympathies to the officer’s family, friends and colleagues during this extremely difficult time.”
The IIO has launched an investigation underway to see whether the police played a role in the death
Anyone with information who has not spoken to investigators is asked to call investigators at 1-855-446-8477.
A significant police presence with members from several forces spanning Lower Mainland forces was observed in the area. Authorities have not said which business was involved in the incident, however, there is a shooting range on the block called The Range.
At the time of the incident, several members of the Metro Vancouver Transit Police were also at the shooting range conducting firearms training in an adjacent part of the building, Const. Amanda Steed confirmed.
She said no transit police officers were hurt or directly involved in the incident.
A Facebook post from The Range announced that it was closing for the day.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.