B.C. arrest involving less-lethal weapons, police dog sparks IIO probe
Published 12:37 pm Saturday, September 19, 2026
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An arrest in Saanich involving the deployment of “less-lethal use of force weapons and a police service dog” has sparked an investigation from the Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO).
The police watchdog is appealing for witnesses to the arrest which took place outside a Saanich home on Woodhall Drive Sept. 18.
The IIO says Saanich Police Department responded to a call shortly after 10 p.m., about a man involved in a possible assault at the home. Members of the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team also responded.
“Police entered into negotiations and contained the area for several hours before the man exited the residence and was taken into custody, deploying less-lethal use of force weapons and a police service dog in the process,” said a IIO news release Sept. 19.
The man was then taken to a hospital for assessment and treatment of his injuries. The IIO was notified a short time later, prompting them to open an investigation.
The independent civilian oversight agency will now consider if the man’s injuries meet the threshold of “serious harm” as defined by the Police Act, and whether there is a connection between the injuries and the actions or inaction of police.
“If both conditions are met, the investigation will continue to examine all available evidence to determine what occurred,” said the IIO. “At the conclusion of the investigation, the chief civilian director will consider whether there are reasonable grounds to believe that an offence may have occurred.”
The IIO is asking any witnesses who have information regarding this incident to contact the IIO Witness Line toll-free at 1-855-446-8477 or via the contact form on the website: iiobc.ca.