Midway RCMP Officer Charged After Greenwood Crash

A Midway RCMP officer is facing two charges under British Columbia’s Motor Vehicle Act nearly one year after a collision in Greenwood left one person seriously injured.

On June 10, 2025, the BC Prosecution Service announced that charges have been approved against Const. Christopher Odgaard, following an investigation into a July 1, 2024 incident that took place at the intersection of Government Avenue (Highway 3) and Campbell Street in Greenwood — a busy crossing particularly during the Canada Day holiday.

The Collision

According to information released, Const. Odgaard was driving an unmarked police vehicle at the time of the crash, which involved a civilian vehicle carrying multiple occupants. One civilian suffered serious injuries, while others — including the officer — sustained minor injuries.

The matter was investigated by the Independent Investigations Office of British Columbia (IIO), the province’s civilian-led police oversight agency. Upon completion of the investigation, the IIO referred its findings to the Crown for review.

Charges Approved

Following the BCPS charge assessment, Odgaard now faces:
• One count of driving without due care and attention (Motor Vehicle Act, s.144(1)(a)); and
• One count of making an unsafe reverse turn (Motor Vehicle Act, s.168(a)).

The charges were officially sworn on June 10, 2025, and entered under Grand Forks Provincial Court file number 24008-1.

Odgaard’s first appearance in Grand Forks Provincial Court is scheduled for June 30, 2025.

Ongoing Scrutiny at Midway Detachment

The Midway RCMP detachment — which serves Greenwood, Rock Creek, Christina Lake and surrounding areas — has faced heightened attention over the past year. In November 2024, a separate police-involved incident saw one officer accidentally shot by another during an arrest attempt near Midway. That matter also remains under IIO investigation.

Community Response

Locally, news of the charges has sparked conversations across Greenwood, Midway, and throughout the Boundary. Residents have taken to social media with mixed reactions — some calling for transparency and accountability, others urging caution as the legal process unfolds.

“Small town policing has its challenges, but the people deserve answers,” wrote one resident in a Boundary Facebook group.

“Glad to see the oversight system doing its job — but let’s wait for the facts,” commented another.

Because the matter is now before the court, neither the BC Prosecution Service nor the RCMP have provided additional comment.

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About the IIO of BC

The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) was established in 2012 as British Columbia’s civilian-led oversight agency for police-involved incidents resulting in serious harm or death. The IIO operates independently of police agencies and reports to the Ministry of Attorney General.

If the IIO finds reasonable grounds to believe an officer may have committed an offence, it refers the matter to Crown Counsel for charge assessment — as occurred in the Odgaard case.

More information about the IIO is available at: iiobc.ca