Vancouver police cleared of wrongdoing after suspect sustains 'significant injury'

Vancouver Police Department headquarters is seen in Vancouver, on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021. (Darryl Dyck / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

British Columbia's police oversight agency has cleared Vancouver police officers of criminal wrongdoing after a suspect was seriously injured during an arrest more than a year ago.

The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. says in a statement Thursday that investigators found no reasonable grounds for criminal charges against the officers involved in the 2023 arrest.

Police were called to a report of a stabbing on McGill Street near New Brighton Park in East Vancouver at 5:50 p.m. on Oct. 19, 2023.

A suspect was arrested at the scene and transported to hospital where "follow-up tests revealed a significant injury," the IIO statement said.

"The IIO was notified of the incident the same day and commenced an investigation."

The police watchdog did not provide any identifying details about the suspect or the nature of their injury.

The agency said it would withhold its public report into the incident until court proceedings related to the case had concluded.

However, the IIO said its chief civilian director reviewed relevant medical records and police reports before concluding there were no grounds to believe any of the arresting officers committed an offence.

The IIO probes all police-related incidents that result in serious harm or death in B.C., whether or not there are any allegations of wrongdoing on the part of officers.