The West Vancouver Police Department is investigating Revelstoke RCMPs handling of a suspect who eluded police five times on the weekend before being apprehended.
The suspect, John Robert Murrell, and an officer who pursued him were both injured.
We have been called to assist with an independent review of the apprehension, said WVPD Const. Lisa Schmidtke.
The investigation is standard when a suspect is injured while being apprehended, according to Schmidtke.
The purpose of the review is to determine if the conduct of the members was appropriate, Schmidtke said.
Murrell allegedly sped away from a traffic stop at approximately two a.m. on Jan. 13.
Golden (RCMP) made the first stop, and when they were approaching the vehicle he took off, said RCMP Sgt. Rob Vermeulen.
Golden police stopped Murrell because of a warrant for his arrest issued in Kamloops, according to Vermeulen.
Murrell was charged with assault with a weapon, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, and flight from a peace officer in Kamloops in 2008.
Revelstoke RCMP failed to stop Murrell on two other occasions last weekend before using a spike belt to slow Murrell down and apprehend him, according to Vermeulen.
Murrell allegedly provided a false name to police when caught but was identified through fingerprint analysis.
After Murrell was examined and cleared by medical staff late on Friday night, officers took the suspect to a cell.
Hospital staff asked to re-assess Murrell on Saturday.
After arriving at the hospital, Murrell eluded police by jumping down a six-metre embankment, according to Vermeulen.
A police officer suffered a broken shoulder while pursuing Murrell, according to Vermeulen.
Murrell is facing charges of dangerous driving, dangerous driving causing bodily harm, fleeing arrest, assaulting a police officer, possession of stolen property, escaping lawful custody and obstructing justice.
