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Mounties cleared in advance of inquest into police shooting

Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner (OPCC) says three Langley RCMP officers did nothing wrong.
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Alvin Wright

The father of Langley RCMP shooting victim Alvin Wright said Thursday he was not surprised that the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner (OPCC) ruled that three Langley Mounties did nothing wrong.

Jeffrey James Alvin Wright died after being shot by police in his home in Langley City on Aug. 7, 2010.

The OPCC ruled that the Langley RCMP officers' actions were reasonable and necessary.

Alan Wright, the father of Alvin Wright, has been provided some documentation of the police investigation for the purposes of the coroner’s inquest into the shooting, which will start on Monday (March 26), at the Burnaby Coroner’s Court.

He is, however, under an order from the coroner not to speak about or release any of the materials provided to him, even if the investigation materials may contradict or undermine information provided and relied on in the OPCC review process, said the B.C. Civil Liberties Association.

He is currently taking legal advice on how he may properly respond to this review.

Wright's family is suing the RCMP for their actions.

In 2011, the Vancouver Police cleared the Langley Mountie who fired the shot at Wright, saying the officer's decision was warranted. Police allege that Wright came at them brandishing a knife.

Alan Wright said Thursday that police are not accountable in B.C. when they shoot someone, and he doubts things will improve when the newly-created Independent Investigation Office, headed by Richard Rosenthal, begins operation later this year.

Meanwhile, friends of the Wright family have organized a fundraiser for Alvin Wright's two-year-old daughter. It takes place on Saturday, March 31 at the  Troubadour Club, 20299 Industrial Avenue in Langley, from 7:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.

The event will feature the music of Masta Ace and Marco Polo. For more information,see http://www.facebook.com/JusticeforAlvin.