Police watchdog seeks witnesses after Port Alberni man was injured during arrest

The Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) is seeking witnesses to the arrest of a man in Port Alberni in which the man suffered injuries. 

At just before 3 p.m. on Friday, June 12th, Port Alberni RCMP responded to a call about a possible domestic disturbance at a residence in the 4600 block of Burke Road. 

Police say that officers arrived at the scene and located a man running from the residence.

Officers pursued the man and arrested him a short distance away, near the intersection of Arrowsmith Road and May Street. 

The man reportedly suffered injuries during the interaction with police.

After his arrest, he was transported to hospital for assessment and treatment.

The IIO was notified of the incident and launched an investigation into the matter.

Now, IIO investigators would like to speak with anyone who witnessed the arrest or who may have captured video footage of it.

In this investigation the IIO will seek to answer whether the man’s injuries meet the threshold of “serious harm,” and/or if police action or inaction was the cause of this serious harm.

If both conditions are met, the investigation will continue and the IIO will seek to answer whether the police officers’ actions or inactions were justifiable.

From there, the case will either be closed, clearing the officers involved of wrongdoing, or the IIO will recommend charges to the Crown. 

Any witnesses who have information regarding this matter should contact the IIO at 1-855-446-8477, or via the contact form on the IIO website.

The IIO is the independent agency that investigates any incidents involving officers or detention guards that result in serious harm or death.