IIO is Seeking Witnesses to an Arrest in Saanich (2026-234)

INFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release

Surrey, B.C. — The Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) is seeking witnesses to the arrest of a man outside a residence in Saanich on September 18, 2026.

Initial reports from the Saanich Police Department state that shortly after 10 p.m., officers responded to a call about a man involved in a possible assault at a home on Woodhall Drive.

Members of the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team also responded.

Police entered into negotiations and contained the area for several hours before the man exited the residence and was taken into custody, deploying less-lethal use of force weapons and a police service dog in the process.

The man was taken to a hospital for assessment and treatment of injuries.

The IIO was notified a short time later 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 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