Charges will be considered against an Abbotsford Police officer in relation to an incident in July 2023 in which a man was seriously injured during an arrest.

The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC reported on Thursday (Oct. 17) that it has completed its investigation of the incident and has referred the file to the B.C. Prosecution Service for the consideration of charges in relation to the use of force.

The incident took place just before 7:30 p.m. on July 31, 2023. The IIO said an officer was in an unmarked police vehicle and was driving along Clearbrook Road when he saw a man allegedly engaging in an indecent act near Mt. Waddington Avenue.

"The officer pulled over and attempted to place the man under arrest. However, there was an altercation while the man was being taken into custody," the IIO stated in a press release.

The man was first taken to the APD detachment, and Emergency Health Services (EHS) were then called in. He was taken to hospital, where he was found to have sustained a serious injury, the IIO stated.

The IIO, which investigates officer-involved incidents involving serious injury or death, was notified of the incident shortly after it occurred.

"Chief civilian director Jessica Berglund reviewed the evidence and determined that reasonable grounds exist to believe that one officer may have committed an offence in relation to the use of force," the IIO said.

In order to approve charges, the B.C. Prosecution Service must be satisfied that there is a "substantial likelihood" of conviction based on the evidence gathered by the IIO, and that prosecution is required in the public interest.

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