More than a year after it started looking into an arrest in Vancouver’s West End, the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. says it is looking to speak to a witness “as soon as possible.” The IIO investigates all incidents involving police officers in the province that result in death or serious harm to a member of the public, regardless of whether there is any allegation of wrongdoing on the part of police. The incident the office is now hoping to identify a witness to happened on July 10, 2025, around 11:30 p.m. At that time, Vancouver police responded to a report of a man “allegedly attempting to break into Denman Place Mall,” the IIO said in a statement Friday, more than 13 months after the incident occurred. “Two uniformed officers attended and located the man on Nelson Street between Gilford and Denman streets, where he was arrested,” the statement reads. “During the arrest, physical force was used and the man sustained injuries.” The man was taken to hospital and later released, the IIO said. According to the office, its investigation is ongoing and reports from “specialist services engaged to analyze evidence and provide additional information” are pending. Investigators are also looking to identify a witness they believe was travelling north on Nelson Street “on a bicycle or motorcycle” at the time of the arrest. “Investigators believe this person may have witnessed the incident and ask that they contact the IIO as soon as possible,” the statement reads. Anyone who witnessed the arrest and has not yet spoken to the IIO is asked to call the office’s witness line at 1-855-446-8477 or send an email to info@iiobc.ca.
