IIO Seeking Witnesses to Arrest in New Westminster (2026-095)

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 one man that occurred in New Westminster.

Initial information provided by the New Westminster Police Department states that on the morning of April 26, 2026, officers responded to reports of a man that had been breaking into vehicles.

Police arrived at the 200 block of Dickenson Street and located the man who was the subject of the reports. Officers – including a police service dog – arrested the man, who suffered injuries during the interaction.

He was taken to the hospital for assessment and treatment.

The IIO was made aware of the incident two days after it occurred and started 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 at our 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