B.C. Coroner’s inquest jury recommends police body cameras after fatal shooting

NELSON, B.C. – A jury in a coroner’s inquest into the police killing of a British Columbia man eight years ago says the province and the RCMP should speed up the introduction of police body cameras.

The inquest was held to find the facts behind the fatal police shooting of 39-year-old Waylon Edey of Yahk, B.C., who died in January 2015 after a traffic stop in Castlegar.

RCMP Const. Jason Tait shot Edey in the head after trying to arrest him for driving while prohibited, but was acquitted of manslaughter in Edey’s death in November 2020.

The inquest, which began in August and wrapped up on Friday, issued eight jury recommendations.

Jurors urged more training for officers in de-escalating high-stress situations, speedy implementation ofpolice body cameras and dash cams, and new provincial and federal laws to prevent prohibited drivers from getting behind the wheel.

The jury also concluded the Insurance Corporation of B.C. should change policy around insuring vehicles owned by court-prohibited drivers and said the Minister of Public Safety and the RCMP should “explore options” about bars and restaurants sharing information about intoxicated patrons.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published September 4, 2023.

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version said Tait was acquitted of manslaughter in January 2020. In fact, his acquittal came in November 2020