IIO is Seeking Witnesses to a January 2018 Incident in the Comox Valley (2023-045)
Case: 2023-045 Incident Date: January 3, 2018 Location: Comox Valley Detachment: Comox Valley Agency: RCMP Incident Classification: Serious Harm Case Status: Open - Investigation in ProgressINFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release
Surrey, B.C. — The Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) is seeking witnesses to a 2018 arrest in the Comox Valley that resulted in one youth sustaining injuries.
Information provided by the Comox Valley RCMP states that shortly before 5:00 p.m. on January 3, 2018, a female youth was arrested in front of the liquor store at the Comox Valley Mall as it was reportedly believed the youth would be at risk if not apprehended.
The IIO was notified of the incident by police on February 21, 2023 after a civil claim was filed by the youth on November 21, 2022. The claim alleged the youth sustained serious injuries during her 2018 arrest, and the IIO therefore commenced an investigation.
Initial investigative steps have examined the level of injury the youth sustained and the details of the arrest and subsequent detention.
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.