IIO Launches Probe After Saanich Arrest Sends Man to Hospital

The Independent Investigations Office said on Monday that it is reviewing a police encounter in Saanich that left a man in need of medical attention. The incident unfolded late Friday night when Saanich RCMP officers tried to detain the individual on a matter that police have not disclosed.

According to the IIO, an officer employed a level of force that resulted in the man being taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Hospital staff said he was stabilized, but the agency has not released details about his condition. Officers on the scene stayed at the location while the IIO began its fact‑finding process.

"We are conducting a thorough, independent investigation to determine whether the force used was justified," an IIO spokesperson said. The office emphasized that its mandate is to provide an unbiased look at any incident involving police use of force that leads to injury.

RCMP officials declined to comment on the specifics, noting that the matter is now in the hands of the IIO. The police department said it cooperates fully with any investigation and will release information as it becomes available.

Community members in the Saanich area expressed concern, asking for transparency and a swift resolution. “People want to know what happened and why someone ended up in the hospital,” one local resident told reporters.

The IIO typically completes its investigations within a few weeks, after which a report is issued to the public. If the findings indicate wrongdoing, the case may be forwarded to Crown Counsel for possible charges.