Police watchdog investigating after man injured during Vancouver arrest

Investigators from B.C.'s Independent Investigations Office are seen in this file photo from the IIO.

B.C.’s police watchdog is appealing for witnesses to come forward after a man was injured while being arrested in Vancouver Sunday.

The Vancouver Police Department reported that officers were “attempting to speak to a man believed to have been involved in an assault complaint” outside a home near West 71 Avenue and Montcalm Street around 7 p.m.

“Police waited outside the residence until the man eventually exited. At that point, officers moved to arrest him,” a statement from the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. reads.

“There was an interaction, and a police service dog was deployed to help detain the man, who suffered injuries during the arrest.”

The IIO says it is now investigating whether the man’s injury meets the threshold of serious harm under the Police Act, and whether the police’s actions caused the injury.

“If both conditions are met, the investigation will continue to examine all available evidence to determine what occurred. At the conclusion of the investigation, the chief civilian director will consider whether there are reasonable grounds to believe that an offence may have occurred,” the statement reads.

Anyone who witnessed the arrest or has video is asked to contact the IIO at 1-855-446-8477 or on its website.