POLICE CHIEF ORDERS PROBE INTO DRUG RAID AT BIRTHDAY PARTY

The chief of Abbotsford police has ordered an internal investigation into a
drug raid at a house where 13 children were attending a birthday party.

As the children watched, a police emergency response team member shot and
killed a dog that attacked one of the officers.

The raid occurred about 5 p.m. Sunday at a house in the 2300-block of
Centre Street in Abbotsford. A male resident of the house has been charged
with drug offences, including possession of marijuana for the purpose of
trafficking.

In addition, Abbotsford Chief Constable Barry Daniel has asked the chief of
New Westminster police to be the reviewing officer for an investigation
into the shots-fired aspect of the case.

Chief Constable Peter Young will also serve as the disciplinary authority
for 12 citizen complaints that have been filed as a result of the raid.

Daniel said in a press release that he asked an outside chief to oversee
the investigation "to ensure that it is seen to be impartial." A full
report will be made to the Abbotsford police board, he said.

Meanwhile, one of the adults who was in the house when the raid occurred
has been arrested on a warrant for assault causing bodily harm.

Jason Eli Rowsom, 28, allegedly assaulted a 23-year-old male at a Shell gas
station in the 2000-block of McCallum Road in Abbotsford Monday night.

Police say the alleged victim was knocked unconscious, but later walked to
a hospital. They also say it appears the two individuals knew each other.

Rowsom was highly critical of the police raid, calling it a "violent and
brutal affair and totally uncalled for."

He was in the house with his four children, and said police should have
realized a child's birthday party was under way.