The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. is seeking a key witness to an incident in Vancouver in which a man suffered after being tasered by police.
On October 6, at approximately 2:15 pm, VPD officers responded to complaints about a man who spat at a couple near Jack Poole Plaza.
Later, the man also tried to touch a number of women.
Police located the suspect along the Seawall near Bute Street and Cordova Street. Officers deployed a conducted energy weapon (taser) after the man tried to fight the officers.
The taser ignited a ‘flammable’ object the man had. He received serious but non-life-threatening injuries, and was transported to hospital. The IIO has started a probe to determine what role, if any, the officers’ actions or inaction may have played into the incident.
The IIO has identified the following witness as being able to provide valuable information to the investigation.
- A woman wearing a royal blue jacket and dark pants with a medium sized brown and white dog on a leash.
- The woman was seen next to a bench in Harbour Green Park as the police interaction occurred.
The IIO is asking for this witness and any others who may have seen, heard, or recorded the incident to contact the IIO Witness Line at 1-855-446-8477.
