The province's police watchdog has completed its investigation into a man being injured during an arrest in Maple Ridge, and has absolved the police of wrongdoing.
The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) announced on March 7 it has finished its review of the case that happened on Aug. 12, 2024, but will not release its report until legal action is resolved.
According to the IIO, at about 11:25 a.m. a Ridge Meadows RCMP officer arrived at a business in the 11800 block of 224 Street for an unrelated matter, then received a report from a loss prevention officer about a recent theft. The loss prevention officer pointed out the man in question to the police officer.
The RCMP member followed the suspect to Memorial Peace Park.
"There was an interaction between the man and the police officer while the man was being taken into custody," reports the IIO.
At about 11:45 a.m., the suspected thief was escorted to the Ridge Meadows detachment, and an ambulance was called for him.
Around 12:20 p.m., the man was released from police custody. An ambulance had not yet arrived, and the man did not want to wait, so it was cancelled.
Later the same day, the man took an ambulance to the hospital, but left without being seen.
On Aug. 13, the man was taken to hospital again, received treatment, and was discharged two days later.
The IIO was notified of the incident two months later, on Oct. 15, 2024, after the RCMP became aware the man may have sustained injuries meeting the IIO鈥檚 mandate to investigate.
The chief civilian director has reviewed the evidence 鈥� including witness statements, medical evidence, and police reports 鈥� and says there are no reasonable grounds to believe any officer may have committed an offence.
Due to court proceedings, the IIO鈥檚 public report will not be published until that process is concluded.
The IIO is the Independent civilian oversight agency that investigates all officer-related incidents that result in serious harm or death, whether or not there is any allegation of wrongdoing.
