Staff Sergeant Kris Clark, Senior Media Relations Officer with the RCMP, has provided a statement on the RCMP’s response to a shooting incident in Quesnel on Wednesday, April 15.
Responding to criticism by the public, and in a CBC article, Clark says, “a public alert requires certain criteria, and this event never met the threshold for such an alert.”
Clark went on to say that the detachment commander [Sergeant Clay Kronebusch] responded reactively to several media inquiries as the incident was unfolding.
Police provided, in very basic terms, the nature of the event, the reason for the heavy police presence, and the need for residents to stay in their homes or away from the area.
Kronebusch’s release read: “Police are currently dealing with an unfolding event, and limited details are available at this time. Police have responded to reports of shots being fired in the area of Nason Street. There is a heavy police presence in the area dealing with the situation. We are asking people who live in the area to remain in their residences and ask that the public stay clear of the area while police deal with the incident.”
Clark says as the events unfolded and the RCMP media were more aware of the details of the situation, the Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) had already taken over conduct of the investigation.
“The IIO BC extends us the courtesy of issuing the first statement, which requires multiple approvals from both agencies,” Clark said. “This process is important as it ensures accuracy of information while also maintaining the integrity of their investigation.”
Clark says the process takes time.
“While we work as quickly as possible, there are always multiple factors that impact the urgency. at which the process is completed. Priority will always be given to informing the community of any ongoing risk to public safety.”
Clark says while he understands the public’s interest and desire to know as quickly as possible, rushing any information puts the integrity, transparency, and independence of the IIO BC’s investigation at risk.
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