It will likely be a few more months until we learn the findings of an Office of the Police Complaint Commission (OPCC) investigation into the conduct of Delta police in its initial investigation of an incident involving the wife of Chief Neil Dubord last June.
Deputy Police Complaint Commissioner Andrea Spindler told the Optimist in an email Friday that, “Confidentiality provisions under the Police Act prohibit the OPCC from disclosing any information relating to an investigation, unless the Commissioner considers it to be in the public interest,” said Spindler. “As you know, this matter is being investigated independently of the Delta Police Department. The OPCC can confirm that the investigation remains ongoing and that an extension to the time limit was issued. The Police Act allows for extensions where necessary to ensure a complete and through investigation.
As this investigation remains ongoing, I am unable to provide further information at this time.”
Kiran Sidhu was at a socially-distanced picnic with friends at Centennial Beach when the Surrey resident and teacher in the Richmond School District, left the gathering before the picnic was over. Unfamiliar with the beach area, and with the tide coming in, Sidhu said she was forced to climb onto rocks, which are near the back fence of the Dubord property.
Sidhu and Lorraine Dubord got into a verbal exchange and Dubord sprayed Sidhu with a garden hose.
Sidhu, about a week after the incident, filed a police report with the DPD.
The DPD conducted an investigation and informed Sidhu that no further action would be taken. Upset, at what she felt was a lack of accountability, and what she deemed was not a fulsome investigation, Sidhu then made a formal complaint against the department, which triggered an investigation by an outside organization, in this case, Surrey RCMP.
Following that RCMP investigation, in September, the BC Prosecution Service announced that rather than charges, Dubord would instead face “alternative measures.”
“The BC Prosecution Service (BCPS) can confirm that this matter has been referred to BC Corrections for consideration of an “alternative measures” resolution,” said spokesperson Dan McLaughlin at the time. “If the person alleged to have committed an offence in this case enters into and successfully completes an Alternative Measures agreement there will be no prosecution. Under the terms of this policy, subject to certain limitations, Crown Counsel are encouraged to consider alternative measures in every case where the successful completion of an alternative measures program can achieve the most important objectives of a court prosecution.”
