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TUESDAY September 11, 2012
Car crash leads to arrest
Proudly serving Williams Lake and the Cariboo-Chilcotin since 1930
VOL. 82. No. 71
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children find fun at the harvest fair
Just after midnight on Sept. 6 the Williams Lake RCMP responded to a motor vehicle incident on Coleman Road. In a news release, police say a witness heard a loud crash and then observed the only occupant from a vehicle walk away from a disabled car. The car had struck two parked cars in the area. The car turned out to be stolen and police say they suspect it to be involved in a break and enter that occurred to a business two days earlier. Police arrived and arrested the driver for possession of stolen property. See THIEVES Page A2
Inside the Tribune NEWS A2 MVI on Mackenzie Avenue. SPORTS A8 Scenes from bull riding finals. COMMUNITY Harvest Fair highlights.
A11
Weather outlook: Mix of sun/ cloud today, high of 13 C. Cloudy Wednesday, high of 19 C.
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Gaeil Farrar photo
There were more children entering items in the Williams Lake Harvest Fair than ever last weekend in the Stampede Grounds. Five-year-old twins Jadyn (left) and Aliya were there to see it all. They were particularly interested in what might be inside the pink and purple box painted by Ella Ball. For more on the fair turn to Page A11.
RCMP insp. welcomes independent group Monica Lamb-Yorski Tribune Staff Writer Williams Lake’s RCMP inspector says there being a first civilian-led police oversight agency to investigate incidents of death and serious harm involving police is welcome news. As of Sept. 10, the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. (IIO) became fully operational at its location in Surrey. On Monday morning, Minister of Justice and Attorney General Shirley Bond and Chief Civilian Director Richard Rosenthal announced the opening of the IIO office and the beginning of the first civilian-led police oversight agen-
cy in B.C. with the jurisdiction to investigate incidents of death and serious harm involving police. “I am glad to see that an external body is available to investigate allegations of police misconduct and everything else as per their mandate,” says Williams Lake RCMP Insp. Warren Brown. “This is a great day for many reasons; primarily it will now demonstrate to the public through an independent lens, the high ethical and professional standards in the RCMP.” In his experience, Brown says the RCMP has held its police officers accountable; however, he adds, some media often spin that to suggest police cover up and focus on the negative.
“Where we have made mistakes, I am aware of consequences. I have been waiting for this day as I am confident that through this new independent body, our integrity will now be corroborated. The Williams Lake RCMP is committed to providing the best possible policing service through sincere, caring, ethical, and professional practices to all communities.” In a press release, the ministry of justice and attorney general explains that police agencies will be required to notify the IIO of incidents that may fall under the IIO jurisdiction. “This extends to both on- and offduty incidents involving the RCMP, municipal police, auxiliary police,
special provincial constables, First Nations police and the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority. An agreement outlining police co-operation with IIO investigations was formalized in a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the IIO and B.C.’s police services in July 2012.” The IIO office will have 60 fulltime staff comprised of civilians that have never been police officers, with an investigative team that will be sent throughout the province when needed. On or before Jan. 1, 2015, a special committee of the legislature will review the progress made toward the IIO being staffed by civilians, the government says.