IIO is Investigating an Arrest in Coquitlam (2025-241)

INFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release

Surrey, B.C. — The Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) is investigating an arrest that occurred yesterday in Coquitlam.

Information provided by the RCMP states that at about 3:45 p.m. yesterday (October 15, 2025), members of the Lower Mainland District Integrated Emergency Response Team were arresting a man on an outstanding warrant in the parking lot at the Coquitlam Centre Mall.

The man was taken into custody with the assistance of a police service dog and sustained a serious but not life-threatening dog bite injury. He was taken to a hospital for treatment before being released into police custody.

The IIO was notified of the incident shortly after it occurred and is now investigating.

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 police 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 is asking that any witnesses that have not already provided a statement, or who have video footage of the incident, 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 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.

info@iiobc.ca