The Independent Investigations Office of BC has found no wrongdoing on the part of the RCMP after completing an investigation into concerns surrounding the search for a missing woman on the Saik’uz First Nation two years ago.
On October 11th, 2023, Chelsey Quaw was reported missing after walking away from her home. She was found deceased on November 6th, 2023.
Two years ago today (Wednesday), the IIO was notified of concerns regarding the police response to a request for a wellness check for a woman on the Saik’uz First Nation, and an investigation commenced.
According to the IIO’s report, a civilian witness voiced concerns that officers may not have taken appropriate steps to locate Quaw when she went missing.
This witness reportedly said police service dogs should have been used earlier in the investigation, and when Quaw went missing.
The IIO engaged two experts in police dog deployment and handling to determine if the deployment of a dog would have assisted in the search.
One of the experts stated “We do not use methods or styles such as “showing” a dog something with odour to go to a source and ignore all others. The dog will go down-wind to the freshest, most recent human odour that is reaching their nose in that moment.”
The second expert stated that since the community had been conducting searches in the hours prior, it would have “significantly reduced if not obliterated any potential success for a police dog.”
The report states that for criminal culpability to be found, the RCMP would have had to show a wanton and reckless disregard for the individual’s life.
“The RCMP followed the policing standards in the province which apply to these types of investigations,” the report reads.
“The evidence shows both the community and police took many steps to find the AP, even though all of those steps may not have been communicated to the family and community.”
The Chief Civilian Director of the IIO, Jessica Berglund, stated she does not consider an officer may have committed an offence under any enactment, and the matter will not be referred to Crown counsel for consideration of charges.
The full report can be found here.
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