Cops cleared in Slocan fatal shooting after more-than-three-year investigation
By Castlegar Source
In a 12-page report issued March 29, the Independent Investigations Office (IIO) has exonerated two police officers in the shooting death of 45-year-old Slocan man Peter DeGroot.
The report, issued by Chief Civilian Director Ronald J. MacDonald, comes more than three years after the fatal altercation.
“While it is unfortunate that the delays experienced during the course of this matter left Officers 1 and 2 and the family of AP (meaning Affected Person, in this case DeGroot) in a state of uncertainty for over three years, at the end of the day, I consider that the final result herein is the correct one,” the report reads.
“The evidence collected does not provide sufficient grounds to consider any charges against any officer. The evidence does offer support to the conclusion that the officers acted as required by their duties and in accordance with the law.”
The event precipitating this report happened Oct. 13, 2014 (for the full story, click here https://castlegarsource.com/news/rcmp-confirm-peter-degroot-killed-police-interaction-cabin-near-slocan-33855#.WsPCN38h21s ).
The lengthy investigation sparked ire, including within the editorial portion of this publication (see https://castlegarsource.com/news/rant-are-investigative-delays-form-torture-against-cops-loved-ones-and-public-large-40263#.WsPFO38h21t )
“…The evidence of Pathologists 3 and 4 corroborates Officer 2’s evidence that when the Cabin’s (sic) door was initially opened, AP raised and pointed his gun directly at Officer 1. Those facts justify the use of deadly force by Officer 1 to protect himself from death or grievous bodily harm,” the report said, while going on to acknowledge the prolonged investigation.
“This investigation has taken an unfortunate length of time. This resulted from operational pressures within the IIO, the complexity of the evidence, and the necessity of seeking and awaiting several expert reports. Overall the process took much longer than anticipated.”
To read the report in its entirety, go to http://iiobc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/09-13-2014-Slocan-Death-2014-182-Signed2.pdf
