IIO reopens 2024 investigation that was originally closed due to lack of ‘serious harm’

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

The civilian office that investigates police use of force in B.C. has reopened a case it closed a year and a half ago.

In October 2024, the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. was called to Cranbrook after a man was injured during an arrest related to a domestic dispute, the office said in a news release Friday.

At the time, the IIO concluded that the affected person’s injuries did not meet the definition of “serious harm” found in B.C.’s Police Act.

The IIO investigates all incidents involving police that result in death or serious harm to a member of the public, regardless of whether there is any alleged wrongdoing on the part of police.

A year after the initial call, in October 2025, the IIO received “subsequent information” that indicated the man’s injuries were “more serious than initially understood.”

“Upon review, the IIO determined that the injuries met the threshold for serious harm,” the office’s release reads.

Having reached that conclusion, the IIO is now working to determine if there is any connection between police action or inaction and the serious harm that occurred. If there is, the agency will consider whether there are reasonable grounds to believe an officer may have committed an offence.

The IIO is now asking witnesses who have information or video related to the October 2024 incident to call it at 1-855-446-8477 or use the contact form on its website.

According to the IIO, the underlying incident occurred around 4:45 p.m. on Oct. 5, 2024, in the vicinity of Mission Wasa Low and S. Kootenay Reserve roads. Officers arrived to find “two men engaged in a dispute” and arrested them. The one who suffered serious harm was taken to hospital for examination and treatment, the IIO said.