The Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) is investigating an incident involving the arrest of a man in downtown Victoria last weekend.
According to information provided by VicPD, on on December 21st, officers responded at about 12:30 p.m., to a complaint about a man who was reportedly a suspect in a series of alleged assaults near Johnson and Wharf streets.
Police located the man in the area and arrested him, placing him in the back of a police vehicle. Upon arrival at police cells, officers noticed the man required medical assistance and called for paramedics.
The man was transported by ambulance to hospital for assessment and treatment. His injuries were not considered life-threatening.
The IIO was notified shortly after the incident and has taken over the investigation.
The civilian oversight agency investigates police-related incidents where there is serious harm or death and a potential connection to police or detention guard actions or inaction.
If those thresholds are met, investigators examine all available evidence to determine what occurred.
At the conclusion of the investigation, the IIO’s chief civilian director will decide whether there are reasonable grounds to believe an offence may have been committed.
The IIO is asking any witnesses who have not yet spoken with investigators, or anyone with video footage of the incident, to contact its witness line at 1-855-446-8477 or through the contact form on its website.
