New Westminster Police Department's collision and reconstruction team is continuing their investigation into last week's car accident involving a patrol car in Sapperton.
At about 2 p.m. on Aug. 13, a New Westminster police patrol car and another vehicle collided at the intersection of Harvey and Cumberland streets.
According to Sgt. Diana McDaniel, the officer was driving a marked patrol car and did not have his sirens or emergency lights on at the time of the accident. Police still haven't determined if speed was a factor.
Both the officer involved and the 67-year-old driver of the other vehicle were taken to hospital as a precaution. They were both released shortly after the accident with minor injuries, according to a media release.
As the investigation is ongoing, police won't be making any further comments, added Insp. Phil Eastwood.
"I don't think we'll be making any statement regarding the accident until we've had a good analysis done by the investigation team," he said.
Eastwood added that the Independent Investigation Office - the provincial body that investigates police-related incidents, typically involving death or serious injury - has been notified of the accident, but they haven't said whether or not they'll be conducting an investigation.
Police arrest armed man One man is facing charges following a standoff with New Westminster police on Aug. 10.
Officers were called to an apartment on Ninth Street at about 2:30 p.m. on Aug. 10. The caller told the dispatcher his friend was drunk and suicidal, and there were loaded guns inside the apartment, according to a media release.
Due to the volatile nature of the situation, police sent all on-duty patrol officers to the scene, armed with non-lethal weapons and a ballistic shield as part of a containment plan, according to the release. "As containment was being finalized, the apartment door swung open and the male in question stepped into the corridor. He appeared to be highly agitated and at one point lifted the front of his shirt, partially revealing a handgun tucked into in the waistband of his trousers," the release stated.
While the man was yelling and swearing at officers, he allegedly reached for the gun in his waistband, at which point officers shot him with several beanbag rounds, according to the release.
Officers arrested the man and brought him into custody. A search of his apartment turned up several firearms, in addition to the loaded handgun he had been carrying in his waistband.
"The main story here is the extreme level of calm and professionalism that was exhibited by each of the police officers present in dealing with this extremely volatile situation," said Chief Const. Dave Jones. "The actions of each one of the officers present no doubt saved the life of this male, who presented a deadly threat due to his erratic and threatening behaviour."
Forty-seven-year-old Brian Graff has been charged with one count of careless use of a firearm and two counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
Graff was released from custody on Aug. 13. His next court appearance is Sept. 4.
