Independent Investigations Office reviews Surrey arrest that left man injured

B.C.’s police watchdog is investigating after a man was seriously injured during an arrest in Surrey earlier this month.

According to the Surrey Police Service, an officer responded to reports of a man yelling aggressively at a group of women near the 10700-block of 135A Street around 8:40 p.m. on October 6. The man was taken into custody and sustained a serious but non-life-threatening injury while being arrested.

The Independent Investigations Office of British Columbia (IIO) was notified shortly after the incident and has since launched a review to determine whether police actions were connected to the injury. Under the Police Act, the IIO investigates any case involving serious harm or death that may be linked to the actions or inaction of an officer or detention guard.

Once the investigation concludes, the IIO’s chief civilian director will decide if there are reasonable grounds to believe an offence may have occurred. Anyone with video footage or information who has not yet spoken to investigators is asked to contact the IIO through its toll-free line at 1-855-446-8477 or by using the contact form on its website.