B.C. watchdog seeks witnesses after man goes into medical distress following arrest

IIO investigators are seen in Vancouver, B.C., in a file image.

A provincial police watchdog is asking witnesses to come forward following an arrest in Port Coquitlam, B.C., that ended with a man going into medical distress last fall.

The Independent Investigations Office said the incident happened on the morning of Nov. 20, as RCMP officers were responding to a reported assault at a home on Coquitlam Avenue.

“Police arrived and located a man and woman inside a home. They then attempted to arrest the man, leading to an interaction between him and officers,” the IIO said in an information bulletin Friday.

“After he was detained, the man went into medical distress and was attended to by paramedics at the scene.”

The suspect was ultimately taken to hospital in serious condition, the watchdog said.

Police did not immediately notify the IIO about the incident, but did so one week after the arrest, according to the watchdog.

CTV News has asked the IIO and the RCMP what caused that delay.

Months after the incident, the IIO said investigators have determined there “is a connection” between the man’s condition and either the action or inaction of officers, and that they are continuing to review evidence, including medical records.

The IIO is tasked with investigating every officer-involved incident that results in death or serious harm, as defined by B.C.’s Police Act, regardless of whether there is an allegation of wrongdoing against law enforcement.

Witnesses can contact the watchdog by phone at 1-855-446-8477 or by using the contact form on its website.