Vancouver arrest sparks call out for witnesses from police watchdog

Investigators from B.C.'s Independent Investigations Office are seen in this provided image.

British Columbia's police watchdog is appealing for witnesses following an arrest in Vancouver that resulted in a man being injured by a police dog.

The man was arrested Thursday evening while leaving a store in the Kitsilano neighbourhood that he had allegedly stolen from, located in the 2000 block of West 4th Avenue, the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. said in a release Friday.

Officers saw the suspect, a well-known offender wanted for multiple province-wide warrants, enter the store, select over $3,000 in merchandise, and exit without paying, police said.

After a brief chase the man was arrested by police and hurt by a service dog in the process, before being taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

During the arrest, the man was hurt by a police service dog and taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

“The IIO was notified of the incident shortly after it occurred and has commenced an investigation. Initial investigative steps will seek to confirm if the man’s injury meets the definition of serious harm, as defined by the Police Act,” the police watchdog said.

“If serious harm is established, further investigation will examine whether the officer’s actions during the arrest were necessary, reasonable, and proportionate in the circumstances.”

Any witnesses who saw or have video of the incident are asked to contact the IIO at their Witness Line at 1-855-446-8477, or via the contact form on the iiobc.ca website.

The IIO is called to all police-involved incidents that result in serious harm or death, whether or not there are allegations of wrongdoing.