IIO is Seeking Witnesses to a November 2023 Arrest in Vanderhoof (2024-021)
Case: 2024-021 Incident Date: November 27, 2023 Agency: RCMP Location: Vanderhoof Detachment: Vanderhoof 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 an arrest in Vanderhoof in which one woman sustained a serious injury.
Information provided by the affected person, a woman, states that on November 27, 2023, she was arrested in the 100 block of Columbia Street W.
While being taken into custody, the woman reports she sustained a serious but not life-threatening injury.
The IIO was notified of the incident on January 30, 2024 and commenced an investigation. Based on initial investigative steps, it appears that the woman’s injury meets the threshold of serious harm, as defined by the Police Act. The investigation continues to determine whether police actions were necessary, proportionate, and reasonable under the circumstances.
The IIO is asking any person who saw the arrest or has other relevant information about the incident to please contact the IIO via the Witness Line toll-free at 1-855-446-8477 or 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.