BCJan 06, 2023
No charges for Abbotsford, B.C., officer in 2020 shooting of suspect with beanbag gun
The BC Prosecution Service says no charges will be laid against an Abbotsford, B.C., police officer whose use of a beanbag shotgun during an arrest seriously injured a suspect. A statement from the service says it is not able to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the officer committed any offence when the man was shot with the impact weapon in Chilliwack, B.C., in March 2020. An investigation by B.C.'s police watchdog said there were reasonable grounds to believe the officer may have committed offences while using the less-lethal impact weapon and forwarded its report to the Crown for con
BCJan 05, 2023
Police appealing to public after New Year's Eve fail to stop for Police and a crash
The North Vancouver RCMP are appealing to the public after a motorist fled from Police on New Year's Eve and crashed short time later. On December 31st, at 1930 hrs Police observed a black Land Rover swerving near E 19th St and Grand Blvd E. Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop for traffic violations but the vehicle refused to stop, and fled at a high rate of speed weaving dangerously in and out of traffic. Due to the risk to public safety, officers did not pursue the vehicle. Short time later witnesses reported a black Land Rover involved in a collision with a tree on Westview Dr on-r
BCJan 05, 2023
Suspect with numerous warrants connected to assault in New Westminster arrested in Maple Ridge
On December 30th 2022, a high risk arrest occurred in the 12300 block of 227th Street in Maple Ridge. This arrest resulted in one suspect, 26 year old Joshawa Hall of Coquitlam, who was wanted on numerous warrants, being taken into police custody. The warrants for Mr. Hall’s arrest were connected to the assault of a woman in New Westminster in early 2022, as well as breaching court-imposed bail conditions, failing to appear in court, and evading arrest. Additional details about the assault can be found in our media release from January 2022 – Emergency Response Team deployed to barricaded
BCJan 05, 2023
911 call taker in B.C. releases 2022 list of frivolous complaints to emergency lines
The agency that handles most emergency calls in British Columbia has announced 2022 was its busiest year, but along with managing life-saving communications, EComm says it is still receiving an unacceptable number of senseless calls. EComm, which handles all but a fraction of B.C.'s 911 call volume, has released a list of top 10 frivolous complaints it says came in last year. The list ranges from children drawing with chalk in a playground to a messy roommate, broken windshield wiper, cellphone stuck in a bench and, No. 1 on the list, a malfunctioning nozzle at a gas station. Call takers say
CanadaJan 05, 2023
'So much more than just a police officer': Slain OPP constable
Ontario's premier was among those who spoke today at the funeral for a provincial police officer who was killed in what the OPP has called an ambush. Doug Ford says the death of Constable Greg Pierzchala is a painful reminder that policing is a ``family calling.'' Police have said the 28 year old Pierzchala was attacked as he responded to a call for a vehicle in a ditch west of Hagersville on December 27th. Two people have been charged with first-degree murder.
BCJan 04, 2023
Shots fired at residence in Whalley
Surrey RCMP is advising the public of a shooting in Whalley and requesting anyone with information to contact police. On January 4, 2023, at approximately 5:10 a.m. Surrey RCMP received a report of shots fired in the 10600-block of 138 Street. Officers attended the scene and located evidence consistent with a shooting which included damage to a residence. Although there were multiple people inside the residence at the time of the shooting, no injuries were reported. Surrey RCMP General Investigation Unit has assumed conduct of the investigation and are in the evidence gathering stage. The sho
BCJan 04, 2023
B.C. Govt: Increased funding to Human Rights Tribunal to make justice more accessible
People bringing forward human rights claims will soon have better access to justice through increased funding for the BC Human Rights Tribunal and the Community Legal Assistance Society. "Nobody should be forced to live with intolerance and bigotry – that’s why our government has prioritized supporting people and communities in fighting racism and other forms of discrimination," said Premier David Eby. "I’m glad that more people than ever before are standing up against discrimination and hate, including through the BC Human Rights Tribunal. By supporting faster access to justice at the t
WorldJan 04, 2023
China pushes back on air-travel test requirements, but Canadian firms not worried
China's government is not happy that Canada and other countries are creating new COVID-19 restrictions for people flying from China. Beginning Thursday, Canada will require air travellers from China to have a recent negative test, similar to the US and some European countries. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman says those rules are based on politics instead of science, and that some policies are ``disproportionate and simply unacceptable.'' China lifted many of its strict COVID-19 policies last month, sparking a wave of infections.
CanadaJan 04, 2023
Ottawa man charged with threatening Parliament Hill, embassies: RCMP
A 19 year old man is facing terrorism-related charges for allegedly posting threatening tweets targeted at Parliament Hill, the Department of National Defence and two embassies. Daniel Houde is charged with four counts each of a terrorist hoax, threatening to cause death or bodily harm to a person and threatening to burn, damage and destroy property. Police say he allegedly targeted the embassies of the United States and the People's Republic of China in Ottawa.