Ian Bush
Encyclopedia
Ian Bush a resident of British Columbia
, Canada
, was killed while in police custody on October 29, 2005 by Constable Paul Koester of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
(RCMP). Significant ongoing controversy has been generated as a result of the case. Ian Bush was a popular young man in Houston BC. He was shot and killed by RCMP Constable Paul Koester after being arrested outside a hockey game. Many members of the community believe there were several flaws in the investigation, that there may have been a cover-up and conspiracy to protect Cst Koester. A full inquiry was held by the Commission for Public Complaints against the RCMP.
The circumstance which lead to the shooting was that Cst Koester, a new police officer with less than 6 months service, was on patrol outside the Houston hockey arena on the evening of October 29th 2005. Houston BC is a small community of approximately 3000 in Northern BC. Koester, and other police officers, were assigned to patrol around the arena looking for people consuming liquor then returning inside intoxicated. Koester located Bush in the parking lot drinking beer from a bottle with a group of friends. Koester emptied the beer and decided to issue Bush a Violation Ticket for having open liquor in public. The friends with Bush at the time were upset that he was being issued a ticket.
Bush was asked his name and lied to Koester, stating his name was Jeremy. Koester stated he cautioned him about lying about his name and that he may be charged with Obstruction of a Peace Officer, a criminal offense. Bush lied about his name again to Koester. Koester learned that Bush had lied about his name to get out of receiving a violation ticket. Koester then arrested Bush for Obstructing a Peace Officer, by lying about his name.
Koester conducted a search of Bush after the arrest and did not locate his identification in his wallet, nor a hidden bottle of beer Bush had on his person. Koester returned Bush to the police station to issue him a Promise to Appear and release him from custody. There were no other police officers in the police station at the time. Koester and Bush were inside an interviewing room which was equipped with CCTV recording cameras. Koester chose not to turn the cameras on to record the events with Bush. The CPC recommended that the RCMP install automated CCTV recording equipment in every RCMP detachment in areas where prisoners are dealt with and released.
At some point while inside the police station, Koester and Bush got in to some sort of a physical fight. Koester said that Bush was mad about being issued the Promise to Appear and said words to the effect of "Why don't I just punch you in the fucking face!" The fight ensued, but Koester could not radio for help. Koester reports that Bush was winning the fight and began strangling him. Fearing for his life, Koester drew his gun, and then shot Bush once in the back of the head. Bush was killed instantly. Photographs of Koester after the incident show extensive bruising and cuts to his left eye and forehead.
Constable Koester's actions surrounding that death of Ian Bush have been cleared through a police Criminal Code investigation, an inquiry by the Commission for Complaints Against the RCMP, and a B.C. Coroner's Act Inquiry conducted by Coroner Shane DeMeyer.
Ian Bush's mother Linda later launched a lawsuit against the RCMP.
A second inquiry by the Commission for Complaints Against the RCMP concluded in 2007 that the police internal investigation into the shooting was adequate and timely and that the officer was justified in using lethal force.
After the report was released, Ms. Bush said she disagreed with the commission's conclusion
Koester and Bush were alone in the interrogation room. Koester claimed that he was being choked from behind to unconsciousness and acted in self defence. An investigation was conducted by an RCMP team brought in from another region. That investigation was reviewed by several external agencies.
Conflicting evidence was given at the coroner's inquest. The analyses of the blood splatter
evidence by an RCMP forensics officer, Jim Hignell, and Edmonton
police constable, Joseph Slemko, differed; the former supporting Koester's account, the latter contradicting it.
The Commission for Public Complaints against the RCMP ruled that Slemko "[has] gone beyond his area of expertise." Hignell's evidence was accepted as preferred.
Constable Koester's actions surrounding that death of Ian Bush have been cleared through a police Criminal Code investigation, an inquiry by the Commission for Complaints Against the RCMP, and a B.C. Coroner's Act Inquiry conducted by Coroner Shane DeMeyer.
Bush's Blood Alcohol Content was estimated to be 170 mgs percent, the legal limit for driving in Canada is 80 mgs percent (0.08% blood alcohol). He was described by friends as having a "buzz on."
-In November 2002, Bush was ejected from a bar for fighting. Bush returned to the bar and threw a rock through the bar window.
-In July 2003, Bush drove a snowmobile across a neighbour's lawn during a party and damaged the lawn that had just been levelled and seeded.
-In December 2003, Constable G. Learning of the Houston RCMP Detachment observed three persons at 2:30 a.m. walking in front of the Houston Motor Inn. One of the persons was observed to damage some Christmas trees and lights placed by the District but fled up a hill when Constable Learning approached. The other two persons advised that they did not know who the third person was. Constable Learning subsequently located Bush at the top of the hill who was "intoxicated, breathing heavy and had snow all over him."
-In October 2004, Constable Stanzell attempted to stop Bush after Bush failed to stop at a stop sign at 2:20 a.m. Mr. Bush pulled his vehicle into a convenience store/gas station parking lot, and exited the vehicle and fled.
-In April 2004, Constable J. McNaul observed Bush walking in downtown Houston with a beer in his hand. Constable McNaul took the beer out of Bush's hand which, according to Constable McNaul, caused Bush to clench his fists and take a "fighting stance."
-In June 2004, at approximately 12:36 a.m., Constable Learning gave Bush a 24-hour driving suspension after Bush was stopped for speeding and exhibited symptoms of alcohol consumption. Sometime in September 2004, at approximately 3:05 a.m., Constable Stanzell gave Bush a 24-hour driving suspension after Mr. Bush was stopped for leaving a convenience store at a high rate of speed and exhibited symptoms of alcohol consumption.
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, was killed while in police custody on October 29, 2005 by Constable Paul Koester of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police , literally ‘Royal Gendarmerie of Canada’; colloquially known as The Mounties, and internally as ‘The Force’) is the national police force of Canada, and one of the most recognized of its kind in the world. It is unique in the world as a national, federal,...
(RCMP). Significant ongoing controversy has been generated as a result of the case. Ian Bush was a popular young man in Houston BC. He was shot and killed by RCMP Constable Paul Koester after being arrested outside a hockey game. Many members of the community believe there were several flaws in the investigation, that there may have been a cover-up and conspiracy to protect Cst Koester. A full inquiry was held by the Commission for Public Complaints against the RCMP.
The circumstance which lead to the shooting was that Cst Koester, a new police officer with less than 6 months service, was on patrol outside the Houston hockey arena on the evening of October 29th 2005. Houston BC is a small community of approximately 3000 in Northern BC. Koester, and other police officers, were assigned to patrol around the arena looking for people consuming liquor then returning inside intoxicated. Koester located Bush in the parking lot drinking beer from a bottle with a group of friends. Koester emptied the beer and decided to issue Bush a Violation Ticket for having open liquor in public. The friends with Bush at the time were upset that he was being issued a ticket.
Bush was asked his name and lied to Koester, stating his name was Jeremy. Koester stated he cautioned him about lying about his name and that he may be charged with Obstruction of a Peace Officer, a criminal offense. Bush lied about his name again to Koester. Koester learned that Bush had lied about his name to get out of receiving a violation ticket. Koester then arrested Bush for Obstructing a Peace Officer, by lying about his name.
Koester conducted a search of Bush after the arrest and did not locate his identification in his wallet, nor a hidden bottle of beer Bush had on his person. Koester returned Bush to the police station to issue him a Promise to Appear and release him from custody. There were no other police officers in the police station at the time. Koester and Bush were inside an interviewing room which was equipped with CCTV recording cameras. Koester chose not to turn the cameras on to record the events with Bush. The CPC recommended that the RCMP install automated CCTV recording equipment in every RCMP detachment in areas where prisoners are dealt with and released.
At some point while inside the police station, Koester and Bush got in to some sort of a physical fight. Koester said that Bush was mad about being issued the Promise to Appear and said words to the effect of "Why don't I just punch you in the fucking face!" The fight ensued, but Koester could not radio for help. Koester reports that Bush was winning the fight and began strangling him. Fearing for his life, Koester drew his gun, and then shot Bush once in the back of the head. Bush was killed instantly. Photographs of Koester after the incident show extensive bruising and cuts to his left eye and forehead.
Constable Koester's actions surrounding that death of Ian Bush have been cleared through a police Criminal Code investigation, an inquiry by the Commission for Complaints Against the RCMP, and a B.C. Coroner's Act Inquiry conducted by Coroner Shane DeMeyer.
Ian Bush's mother Linda later launched a lawsuit against the RCMP.
A second inquiry by the Commission for Complaints Against the RCMP concluded in 2007 that the police internal investigation into the shooting was adequate and timely and that the officer was justified in using lethal force.
After the report was released, Ms. Bush said she disagreed with the commission's conclusion
Death and investigation
Bush died due to a single gunshot wound to the back of the head.Koester and Bush were alone in the interrogation room. Koester claimed that he was being choked from behind to unconsciousness and acted in self defence. An investigation was conducted by an RCMP team brought in from another region. That investigation was reviewed by several external agencies.
Conflicting evidence was given at the coroner's inquest. The analyses of the blood splatter
Bloodstain pattern analysis
Bloodstain pattern analysis is one of several specialties in the field of forensic science. The use of bloodstains as evidence is not new; however, the application of modern science has brought it to a higher level...
evidence by an RCMP forensics officer, Jim Hignell, and Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
police constable, Joseph Slemko, differed; the former supporting Koester's account, the latter contradicting it.
The Commission for Public Complaints against the RCMP ruled that Slemko "[has] gone beyond his area of expertise." Hignell's evidence was accepted as preferred.
Constable Koester's actions surrounding that death of Ian Bush have been cleared through a police Criminal Code investigation, an inquiry by the Commission for Complaints Against the RCMP, and a B.C. Coroner's Act Inquiry conducted by Coroner Shane DeMeyer.
Bush's Blood Alcohol Content was estimated to be 170 mgs percent, the legal limit for driving in Canada is 80 mgs percent (0.08% blood alcohol). He was described by friends as having a "buzz on."
Ian Bush's past history with police
-In June 1998, a person reported to the Houston RCMP that Bush had punched him when he had requested that Bush return a lighter to him.-In November 2002, Bush was ejected from a bar for fighting. Bush returned to the bar and threw a rock through the bar window.
-In July 2003, Bush drove a snowmobile across a neighbour's lawn during a party and damaged the lawn that had just been levelled and seeded.
-In December 2003, Constable G. Learning of the Houston RCMP Detachment observed three persons at 2:30 a.m. walking in front of the Houston Motor Inn. One of the persons was observed to damage some Christmas trees and lights placed by the District but fled up a hill when Constable Learning approached. The other two persons advised that they did not know who the third person was. Constable Learning subsequently located Bush at the top of the hill who was "intoxicated, breathing heavy and had snow all over him."
-In October 2004, Constable Stanzell attempted to stop Bush after Bush failed to stop at a stop sign at 2:20 a.m. Mr. Bush pulled his vehicle into a convenience store/gas station parking lot, and exited the vehicle and fled.
-In April 2004, Constable J. McNaul observed Bush walking in downtown Houston with a beer in his hand. Constable McNaul took the beer out of Bush's hand which, according to Constable McNaul, caused Bush to clench his fists and take a "fighting stance."
-In June 2004, at approximately 12:36 a.m., Constable Learning gave Bush a 24-hour driving suspension after Bush was stopped for speeding and exhibited symptoms of alcohol consumption. Sometime in September 2004, at approximately 3:05 a.m., Constable Stanzell gave Bush a 24-hour driving suspension after Mr. Bush was stopped for leaving a convenience store at a high rate of speed and exhibited symptoms of alcohol consumption.