Overview

• Wally Oppal, appointed by B.C.’s police watchdog, found that Sgt. Ron Kirkwood’s use of an ARWEN launcher constituted misconduct because it was reckless and unnecessary
• On Christmas Day 2019, responding to a barricade call in Victoria, officers entered a smoke-filled apartment and Kirkwood mistakenly believed Lisa Rauch was standing when she was seated
• Two plastic projectiles struck Rauch in the head, knocking her unconscious and leading to her death
• Oppal recommended that the Victoria Police Department attach priority to acquiring body-worn cameras for front-line officers
• He also criticized the department’s communication with Rauch’s family as insensitive and delayed and noted that a coroner’s inquest into her death remains unscheduled