IIO Seeking Witnesses to Incident in Vancouver (2019-189)
Case: 2019-189 Incident Date: October 6, 2019 Agency: Municipal Location: Vancouver Detachment: Vancouver Police Department Incident Classification: Serious Harm Case Status: Closed - With Public ReportInformation Bulletin
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Posting
Surrey. B.C. – The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. is seeking witnesses to an incident in Vancouver.
Vancouver Police reported that on October 6, 2019 at approximately 14:15 p.m., officers responded to calls for service in response to complaints of a man who spat at a couple near Jack Poole Plaza and later approached and attempted to touch a number of women. They located a suspect male along the Seawall near Bute Street and Cordova Street. It was reported that during the interaction with the male, he attempted to fight, and officers deployed a conducted energy weapon (CEW).
The CEW probe made contact with a flammable concealed possession on his person and as a result it ignited. The male received serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to hospital.
The IIO has commenced an investigation to determine what role, if any, the officers’ actions or inaction may have played into the serious harm of the male.
Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact the IIO witness line at 1-855-446-8477.
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.