IIO is Investigating a July 31 Incident in Abbotsford (2023-223)
Case: 2023-223 Incident Date: July 31, 2023 Location: Abbotsford Detachment: Abbotsford Police Department Agency: Municipal Incident Classification: Serious Harm Case Status: Referral to Crown Counsel (RTCC)INFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release
Surrey, B.C. — The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC is investigating an incident in Abbotsford that resulted in a serious injury to one man.
Information provided by the Abbotsford Police Department (APD) states that at about 7:25 p.m. on July 31, 2023, an officer conducting a routine patrol in an unmarked police vehicle reportedly observed a man alleged to be engaging in an indecent act on Clearbrook Road near Mt. Waddington Avenue.
The officer pulled over and attempted to place the man under arrest. It is reported that there was an altercation while the man was being taken into custody.
The man was transported to the APD detachment and Emergency Health Services (EHS) were called to assess. EHS transported the man to a hospital for treatment where he was found to have sustained a serious injury.
The IIO was notified of the incident shortly after it occurred, and initial investigative steps will seek to confirm the details of the arrest and whether any force used during the altercation was reasonable, necessary and justified under the circumstances.
The IIO is asking any person with relevant information or video footage of the incident to please contact the 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 the police in British Columbia. It investigates all officer-related incidents that result in serious harm or death, whether or not there is any allegation of wrongdoing.