Police watchdog sends Hudson Brooks report to Crown for charge consideration
Brooks, 20, was shot and killed by police outside south Surrey RCMP detachment in July, 2015
The province's police watchdog has completed its report into the death of Hudson Brooks, 20, who was shot and killed by police outside the south Surrey RCMP detachment last year.
The Independent Investigations Office will now send its report to the Crown office for consideration of charges.
That only happens when the IIO determines an officer may have committed a crime.
"At the conclusion of an investigation, if the chief civilian director of the IIO concludes that an officer may have committed any offence, then the chief civilian director will refer the case to crown," said IIO spokesperson Aidan Buckley.
"If it's concluded the officer has not committed any offence, then the chief civilian director will publish a public report."
The IIO has, since its inception, forwarded 56 reports to Crown.
The reports have led to charges on nine occasions. Five cases are still outstanding.
Family relieved
Jennifer Brooks, Hudson's mother, has been waiting for this moment since her son was killed, July 18, 2015.
"I wouldn't say I'm shocked because I really, really believed that this would go to Crown," she said. "I was just so happy that they closed it, because it was such a long, long wait."
Hudson, 20, was acting erratically as he walked along 152 Street in the early morning hours of July 18, 2015.
Members of the IIO visited the Brooks family in August.
Brooks was told Hudson was unarmed, only wearing a pair of shorts and flip-flops when a police officer spotted him and called for backup.
She says Hudson ran at the officers and was fatally shot.
Somehow an officer was shot as well, but it's unclear how that happened.
More rallies
Family and friends have started a movement called Justice For Hudson. Their marches through south Surrey have drawn hundreds of people.
Jennifer Brooks says if the Crown doesn't act swiftly, there will be more rallies.
"We're not going to wait for six months, seven months or eight months," she said.
"If we have not heard anything within three months, we will plan another march because we really, really demand justice for Hudson."