IIO is Investigating an Incident in Williams Lake (2026-150)

INFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release

Surrey, B.C. — The Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) is investigating an incident in Williams Lake where one woman was injured.

Initial information states that on May 8, 2026 in a municipal park in Williams Lake, the affected person (AP) had an interaction with bylaw officers and city staff. RCMP officers were called to the area and advised the AP that she needed to leave the park.

At one point, during the interaction between the AP and an RCMP officer, the woman sustained serious but not life-threatening injuries.

On July 3, 2026, the IIO was notified of the incident by the Police Accountability Unit of the BC First Nations Justice Council, acting on behalf of the AP.

Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed any part of the incident, or who may have video to contact the IIO Witness Line toll-free at 1-855-446-8477 or via the contact form on the iiobc.ca website.

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.

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