THE Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC announced on Tuesday that it has filed a report with the BC Prosecution Service for consideration of charges regarding a 2021 Surrey incident in which a bystander sustained a police service dog bite injury.

At approximately 9:35 p.m. on May 29, 2021, officers from the Lower Mainland Integrated Police Dog Service were attempting to take two people into custody following an incident near the intersection of Kettle Crescent and 154 Street.

While following one person down Kettle Crescent with the assistance of a police service dog, police encountered an uninvolved man who sustained a serious dog bite injury. The man subsequently went to the hospital for treatment.

Upon completion of the investigation, Chief Civilian Director Ronald J. MacDonald reviewed the evidence and determined that reasonable grounds exist to believe that two officers may have committed an offence in relation to the use of a police service dog.

As a result, and pursuant to Section 38.11 of the Police Act, the IIO has forwarded a report to the BC Prosecution Service for consideration of charges.

In order to approve any charges, 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.