The BC Prosecution Service (BCPS) has approved manslaughter charges have against two Prince George RCMP officers following the death of Dale Culver, arrested by police on July 18, 2017, in Prince George.
Three other Prince George RCMP officers have been charged with attempting to obstruct justice in connection with the events immediately following the arrest.
Const. Paul Ste–Marie and Const. Jean Francois Monette were officially charged February 1. Const. Arthur Dalman, Const. Clarence (Alex) Alexander MacDonald, and Sgt. Bayani (Jon) Eusebio Cruz have been charged with attempting to obstruct justice.
An RCMP release from the time said police received a report about a man casing vehicles and found a suspect who tried to flee on a bicycle. Culver was subsequently pepper-sprayed. He had trouble breathing and collapsed after he was taken out of a police vehicle.
The first appearance for all officers on these matters is scheduled for March 14, 2023 in Prince George Provincial Court. Due to the nature of the incident the matter was investigated by the IIO (file 2017–083). The charges were approved by an experienced criminal lawyer who has no prior or current
connection with the officers.
The charge assessment guidelines applied by Crown Counsel in reviewing all Reports to Crown Counsel are established in the BC Prosecution Service Crown Counsel Policy Manual and are available online at: www.gov.bc.ca/charge–assessment–guidelines
BCPS guidelines for assessing allegations against Peace Officers are also established in policy and
are available at: www.gov.bc.ca/allegations–against–peace–officers
As these matters are now before the court, the BCPS will not be releasing any additional
information or commenting further at this time.
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