No charges approved in allegation of theft by Abbotsford Police officer

Victoria: The BC Prosecution Service (BCPS) announced on Wednesday that no charges have been approved following an allegation of theft of money by a police officer during a search of an Abbotsford residence pursuant to a search warrant. On November 23, 2017, Abbotsford Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit officers executed search warrants at a residence in relation to a drug trafficking investigation. While searching the residence, officers located cash, weapons, drugs and drug paraphernalia. As a result of the search an individual was charged with eight offences including possession of narcotics or drugs for the purpose of trafficking contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. During the prosecution of those offences the defence alleged that one of the investigating officers had taken money found at the scene of the search and the theft had been captured by a home video recording device. At the request of the Abbotsford Police Department the allegations were investigated by the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU) to avoid the appearance of any improper influence in the administration of justice. At the conclusion of the investigation CFSEU submitted a Report to Crown Counsel (RCC) recommending charges of theft under $5000 contrary to s.334 of the Criminal Code.

In this case, the BCPS has concluded that the available evidence does not meet the BCPS’S charge assessment standard and no charges have been approved.