ARCHIVED - Chair-Initiated Public Complaint : Shooting Death of Mr. Kevin St. Arnaud, B.C.

March 15, 2006

File No. PC-2006-0385

As Chair of the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP, I am satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to investigate the shooting death of Kevin St. Arnaud near Vanderhoof, British Columbia, pursuant to subsection 45.37(1) of the RCMP Act.

On December 19, 2004, Kevin St. Arnaud, an unarmed robbery suspect, was shot and killed by a member of the Vanderhoof, B.C. RCMP Detachment.

On January 4, 2005, the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association filed a public complaint against the RCMP alleging that Mr. St. Arnaud was shot unnecessarily and without justification. The Commissioner of the RCMP decided not to conduct a public complaint investigation because there were already three ongoing investigative processes: a criminal investigation; an independent review by an RCMP officer; and a provincial coroner's inquest. Upon review by the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP, the Vice-Chair determined that the RCMP decision not to conduct a public complaint investigation was reasonable at the time.

On February 23, 2006, the Regional Crown Counsel announced that the criminal investigation had been concluded and no criminal charges would be laid.

In light of the significant change of circumstances, I am satisfied that there are now reasonable grounds to investigate the circumstances and events surrounding the shooting death of Mr. St. Arnaud.

Accordingly, pursuant to subsection 45.37(1) of the RCMP Act, I am initiating a complaint in relation to these events, in particular that:

• Members of the RCMP improperly entered into a situation with Mr. St. Arnaud that resulted in his death.
• A member of the RCMP improperly discharged his firearm in the incident.