Sparks in Vancouver arrests call for witnesses from police watchdog

British Columbia’s police watchdog is appealing for witnesses after a Vancouver arrest resulted in a man being injured by a police dog.

A man was arrested Thursday evening as he was leaving a store in the Kitsilano neighborhood from which he allegedly stole, located at 2000 West 4th Avenue, the BC Independent Bureau of Investigation said in a statement Friday.

During the arrest, the man was injured by a police service dog and taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

“The IIO was notified of the incident shortly after it occurred and initiated an investigation. “Initial investigative steps will be aimed at confirming whether the man’s injuries meet the definition of serious harm under the Police Act,” the police watchdog said.

“Where serious harm is found, further investigation will examine whether the officer’s actions during the arrest were necessary, reasonable and proportionate in the circumstances.”

Witnesses who saw or have video of the incident are asked to contact IIO at the witness line at 1-855-446-8477 or via the contact form on the iiobc.ca website.

The IIO is called for any incidents involving police that result in serious injury or death, regardless of whether there are allegations of a crime.