A report into the 2004 police shooting of a mentally ill man has sparked changes within the Saanich police department.
On Monday, the Saanich Police Board announced the adoption of all 10 recommendations made by Dirk Ryneveld, the former police complaint commissioner. Ryneveld had been tasked with reviewing the Saanich department’s policies in the wake of the Supreme Court trial and police investigation following the fatal shooting of Majencio Camaso on July 11, 2004.
Ryneveld recommended that any death suspected to be police related be referred to an external department for criminal investigation, specifically the province’s new Independent Investigations Office once it becomes operational.
Other highlights of the report include a recommendation that the scene of such incidents be secured for external investigators, and that police refrain, when possible, from issuing public statements about these types of deaths before notifying the family of the deceased.
Chief Const. Mike Chadwick supported the recommendations which were adopted during the Jan. 17 board meeting.
nnorth@saanichnews.com