IIO is Seeking Witnesses to a July Incident on SkyTrain in New Westminster (2026-179)

Case: 2026-179 Incident Date: July 31, 2026 Location: New Westminster Agency: Transit Police - SCBCTAPS Incident Classification: Serious Harm Case Status: Open - Investigation in Progress

INFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release

Surrey, B.C. — The Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) is investigating the injuries sustained by a man while in custody of the Metro Vancouver Transit Police (MVTP) in New Westminster on July 31, 2026.

Initial information provided by police states that just after midnight, officers responded to a complaint about a man on an eastbound SkyTrain in New Westminster. The man was reportedly harassing other passengers and in possession of a weapon.

Officers located the man, removed him from the train and arrested him. He was then taken to cells at the New Westminster Police Department.

Shortly after 1:30 a.m., BC Emergency Health Services were called to assess the man’s condition. He was then transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital for further assessment and treatment.

The IIO was notified of the incident shortly after it occurred and has commenced 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 have information regarding this matter to please contact the IIO 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

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