The Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) has launched an investigation into an arrest in Port Alberni in which one man was injured.
Port Alberni RCMP officers involved in the incident say they responded to an alleged harassment call around 3:40 p.m. on December 20th.
The incident occurred at a home in the 6000 block of Beaver Creek Road.
IIO say the officer involved found a man and his dog who was unassociated to the original complaint while conducting neighborhood inquiries.
A physical interaction reportedly occurred between the man, his dog and the officer. The man was arrested as a result of this altercation.
Paramedics were called after the arrested man stated he had become injured during the altercation.
He was subsequently taken to hospital for treatment where it was confirmed that he sustained a serious, but non life-threatening injury.
IIO will consider if the injury was the result of the officer’s action or inaction, and if the man’s injury meets the threshold of “serious harm.”
“If both conditions are met, the investigation will continue to examine all available evidence to determine what occurred,” said IIO in a media release.
“At the conclusion of the investigation, the chief civilian director will consider whether there are reasonable grounds to believe that an offence may have occurred.”
IIO is asking that anyone who witnessed the altercation, or who has video footage of the incident, to contact their witness line at 1-855-446-8477.
