Prince George-Mackenzie Liberal MLA Mike Morris in his PG office – photo 250 News          ​

Prince George, B.C. – An all-party committee reviewing the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. has started its work according to chair Mike Morris.

“It’s going well so far. We’ve had a few meetings and we’ve met with the IIO senior people. We’ve got some hearings coming up on September 11 in Vancouver and we are accepting written submissions until September 26 through our website,” says the Prince George-Mackenzie Liberal MLA.

The civilian-led IIO conducts investigations into police-related incidents involving deaths or serious injuries to determine whether an officer may have committed an offence though Morris says that has nothing to do with the work of this committee.

“Our role is not to re-investigate or take a second look at any of the files that have already been investigated or determined. All we’re looking at is the operations and administration.”

He says that includes questioning whether or not they have staff ready to go out and conduct investigations, whether the office’s location (Surrey) is serving the needs of the province, and whether or not the office has the necessary budget to provide for adequate training.

Morris says his early impressions are that the office is serving its purpose.

“I think it’s working – whether there will be some adjustments at the end of the day remains to be seen. There are a few things that have come to my attention I’m not at liberty to discuss and we’ll put that into the report and send it to the legislature.”

He says that report will be likely be finished by the end of the year and sent to the legislature before its made public next spring.