BC’s police oversight agency is asking the public to come forward with any information about an arrest in Courtenay earlier this year that left a man injured.
According to the Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO), the incident occurred on the night of January 5th, after RCMP officers received a report of a possible impaired driver at around around 11 p.m., in the 2300-block of Mansfield Drive.
RCMP officers later located a Cadillac Escalade SUV in a hotel parking lot in the 2200-block of Cliffe Avenue and attempted to arrest the man who was inside the vehicle.
During the arrest, there was an interaction between the man and police, and the man sustained an injury, according to the IIO release.
He was transported to hospital for treatment.
The IIO investigates incidents involving police in BC that result in serious harm or death, regardless of whether there is an allegation of wrongdoing.
In order for the agency to proceed with a full investigation, two conditions must be met, the injury must meet the legal definition of “serious harm” under the Police Act, and there must be a connection between that harm and the actions or inaction of police.
If both criteria are met, the IIO continues its investigation to determine what occurred and whether there are reasonable grounds to believe an offence may have taken place.
The IIO is now asking anyone who witnessed the incident or has relevant video footage to come forward. Witnesses can contact the IIO by calling the witnessline at 1-855-446-8477.
