IIO investigates alleged injury during Victoria police arrest

The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of British Columbia has launched an investigation following allegations that a man was injured during an arrest by Victoria police in June.

According to preliminary reports from the Victoria Police Department, officers attempted to arrest a man at a liquor store in a commercial plaza on Wilson Street on June 7. The man was taken into custody and transported to the police department. On July 6, the individual contacted the IIO alleging he had sustained an injury during the encounter.

The IIO is currently seeking witnesses and any available video footage of the incident. The agency stated that its initial process involves determining if an injury meets the threshold of ‘serious harm’ as defined by the Police Act and if there is a connection between the harm and officer action or inaction. If both criteria are met, the investigation will proceed to examine all evidence to determine what occurred.