IIO Investigating Incident in Victoria (2026-002)

Surrey, B.C. — The Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) is investigating an incident that occurred in Victoria on January 1, 2026.

Information provided by the Victoria Police Department states that shortly after 5:30 p.m., officers were called to the 800 block of Johnson Street about a possible assault. It is reported that the man who was the subject of the 911 calls had also been running into traffic.

When officers arrived, they located the man and arrested him with the help of a police service dog.

The man suffered an injury during the interaction with police and was then transported to a hospital for assessment and treatment.

The IIO was notified shortly after the incident and has begun an investigation.

There are two factors that the IIO considers at the beginning of each investigation:

1. If there has been an injury that meets the threshold of serious harm, as defined by the Police Act, or a death; and
2. If there is a connection between the serious harm/death and officer action or inaction.

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 IIO asks that any witnesses who has information regarding this matter to please contact the IIO at our Witness Line toll-free at 1-855-446-8477 or via the contact form on the iiobc.ca website.

Background

The IIO is the independent civilian oversight agency of officers and detention guards in British Columbia. It investigates all incidents involving officers or detention guards that result in serious harm or death, whether or not there is any allegation of wrongdoing.

info@iiobc.ca