Nelson’s Chief of Police says it feels very good his officers have been cleared of any wrongdoing by the Independent Investigations Office (IIO).
The outcome of the probe into the arrest of alleged armed robber Andrew Stevenson last April was what Chief Wayne Holland expected.
Stevenson fled after an armed robbery at the Nelson Credit Union and fractured his hip and leg when he jumped off a bridge at the Kootenay Canal.
Stevenson claims he jumped in fear of his life saying police shouted “I will kill you” and “I will blow you away”.
A civilian witness who was in the car with Stevenson testified they did not hear that but heard words like “put the gun down”.
The officer said he repeatedly used the command “police don’t move.”
Stevenson and partner Krista Kalmikoff are awaiting trial on multiple charges of armed robbery across our area including a second incident in Nelson, as well as Castlegar and Robson.