Vancouver cop charged over 2019 arrest that left man seriously injured
A police constable who allegedly injured a man during an arrest in East Vancouver nearly three years ago has been charged with assault.
The B.C. Prosecution Service announced the single count against Simrit Roycombough on Thursday, saying in a news release that the charge was approved by "an experienced Crown counsel with no prior or current connection with the officer."
The allegations against Roycombough were investigated by the province's police watchdog, the Independent Investigations Office, which delivered a report to prosecutors back in January 2021.
Few details about the incident have been released to the public, but the IIO previously said the victim reported that he’d been walking with a friend near Strathcona Park in June 2019 when he had an interaction with a uniformed officer in an unmarked SUV.
That interaction allegedly ended with the officer tackling the man to the ground and arresting him, leaving him with serious injuries, the nature of which have not been disclosed.
The IIO said the victim was initially taken to jail before he was assessed and transported to hospital.
While the alleged incident took place on June 9, the IIO did not begin investigating until weeks later, after the injured man came forward.
B.C. police agencies have a duty to notify the watchdog of any officer-involved incidents that result in serious injury or death, but IIO spokesperson Rebecca Whalen told CTV News the severity of an arrestee’s injuries is not always immediately apparent.
“Such was the case in this incident,” Whalen said in an email. "I can confirm that the failure to notify the IIO was not deemed unreasonable.”
Back in 2016, Roycombough received a commendation from the Vancouver Police Department's chief constable, Adam Palmer, for his part in "doggedly pursuing a dangerous suspect, despite serious injury and life-threatening danger."
According to the commendation, Roycombough and two other officers helped apprehend a man who had allegedly stabbed an employee in a Surrey grocery store, then hopped into a parked car and forced the driver to help him escape at knifepoint.
It's unclear whether the constable remains on active duty. CTV News has reached out to Vancouver police for more information.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
BREAKING 15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
Nylander defends Leafs' core after playoff exit, Toronto again picks up the pieces
The Maple Leafs battled back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Boston Bruins with consecutive 2-1 victories - including one that required extra time - in their first-round playoff series to push the club's Original Six rival to the limit before suffering a devastating Game 7 overtime loss.
Amid climate change warnings, Canadians lukewarm on electric vehicles
Amid scientists' warnings that nations need to transition away from fossil fuels to limit climate change, Canadians are still lukewarm on electric vehicles, according to a study conducted by Nanos Research for CTV News.
Three dead, two hospitalized, following collision in Fredericton: police
Three people have died and two have been hospitalized after a speeding car struck a tree and landed on another vehicle in Fredericton Sunday morning.
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
Madonna's biggest-ever concert transforms Rio's Copacabana beach into a massive dance floor
Madonna put on a free concert on Copacabana beach Saturday night, turning Rio de Janeiro's vast stretch of sand into an enormous dance floor teeming with a multitude of her fans.
Mexican authorities say thieves killed 2 Australians and an American to steal their truck
Thieves killed two Australians and an American on a surfing trip to Mexico in order to steal their truck, particularly because they wanted the tires, authorities said Sunday.