B.C. police watchdog investigating after man seriously injured in Victoria police vehicle
British Columbia's police oversight agency has opened an investigation after a man suffered a serious injury following his arrest by Victoria police last year.
The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. says it began investigating the incident on March 6 and has since determined the man's injury appears to meet the threshold of "serious harm" under the B.C. Police Act.
The act defines "serious harm" as an injury that may result in death, serious disfigurement, or substantial loss or impairment of mobility of the body as a whole or of the function of a limb or organ.
The arrest occurred around 8 p.m. on Aug. 30, 2023, when police attended a residence on Johnson Street, between Vancouver and Cook streets, where the man and his friend were having an argument, the IIO said in a news release Tuesday.
The complainant was arrested and taken to the Victoria Police Department headquarters.
The injury, described as "serious but not life-threatening," occurred when he was being removed from the VicPD vehicle at the station, he told the police watchdog.
"The investigation continues to determine what role, if any, police actions or inaction may have played in the injury," the agency said in the release.
The IIO is asking anyone with information about the incident to contact the agency by phone at 1-855-446-8477 or via the contact form on the iiobc.ca website.
The IIO is an independent police watchdog that investigates all officer-related incidents that result in serious harm or death in B.C., whether or not there is any allegation of wrongdoing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ontario to ban use of cellphones in school classrooms starting in September
Ontario is introducing a suite of measures that will crack down on cellphone use and vaping in schools.
BREAKING Quebec to invest $603 million to protect the French language
Quebec will invest $603 million over five years to counter the decline of French in the province, French Language Minister Jean-Francois Roberge announced Sunday.
'Do not consume': Gift Chocolate recalled due to undeclared milk, soy
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a recall for a specific chocolate brand sold in Ontario and Quebec.
Kitchener family says their 10-year-old needs life-saving drug that cost $600,000
Raneem, 10, lives with a neurological condition and liver disease and needs Cholbam, a medication, for a longer and healthier life.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Murder charge laid after man falls to death from Toronto apartment balcony
One person has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of a man who fell from a balcony following an altercation inside a Toronto apartment building.
Dozens in Italy give a fascist salute on the anniversary of Mussolini's execution
Dozens of people raised their arms in the fascist salute and shouted a fascist chant during ceremonies Sunday to honor Italian dictator Benito Mussolini on the 79th anniversary of his execution.
Zendaya tennis movie ‘Challengers’ scores at weekend box office
Zendaya and castmates Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor have been on a globetrotting press tour to get the word out about Italian director Luca Guadagnino's original film, which opened in 3,477 locations in the U.S. and Canada.
What is a 'halal mortgage'? Does it make housing more accessible?
The 2024 federal budget announced on April 16 included plans to introduce “halal mortgages” as a way to increase access to home ownership.