The provincial watchdog has filed a report to the BC Prosecution Service for consideration of charges regarding a police chase involving a police dog in West Vancouver.
On February 26, 2020 shortly before 2 pm, police attempted to arrest a man on outstanding warrants.
The man physically resisted those attempts and fled in his vehicle, and was followed by police from Abbotsford to West Vancouver where he was arrested near the Capilano River Bridge.
A police dog was used to assist in the arrest and the man sustained serious dog bite injuries.
Upon completion of the investigation, Chief Civilian Director Ronald J. MacDonald, QC, reviewed the evidence and determined there are reasonable grounds to believe that an officer may have committed an offence in relation to the use of a police service dog during the arrest.
As a result, the IIO has forwarded a report to the BC Prosecution Service to consider laying a charge.
To approve any charge, the BC Prosecution Service must be satisfied that there is a substantial likelihood of conviction based on the evidence gathered by the IIO, and that prosecution be required in the public interest.
The IIO will not be making any additional comment about the facts of this case.
