IIO investigating after bystander injured by police dog in New Westminster takedown
The Independent Investigations Office is looking into an incident stemming from the Vancouver police takedown this week of three suspects wanted in connection with a double-homicide.
Police arrested the three, Sept. 19, shortly after they crashed into a vehicle on East Eighth Avenue in New Westminster.
During the arrests, an innocent man attempted to flee the scene after his automobile was hit by the suspect vehicle, according to acting VPD Sgt. Brian Montague.
He was bitten by a police service dog and is now in a local hospital with serious injuries.
"We apologize that someone from the public had to get caught up in something like that," said Montague, who also said police would be reaching out to the family.
Montague didn't directly defend the incident but said it arose out of the chaotic nature of the takedown, which involved rescuing a person who was allegedly kidnapped by the suspects.
"We're dealing with armed people who are potentially alleged to have committed murders, who have a kidnap victim in their vehicle, and we had to act very quickly," he said.
The IIO says it will determine whether any officer committed an offence as a result of the injuries the man suffered and will be interviewing involved officers and witnesses.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is asked to call the IIO at 1-855-446-8477.
