B.C.’s civilian police-oversight agency is investigating after a woman was seriously injured while being taken into custody by RCMP in Duncan.
The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. said in a statement that it is seeking to confirm the extent of the woman’s injuries and whether any force used by police during the arrest was needed, reasonable or proportionate at the time.
RCMP officers responded to reports of a woman waving a weapon at vehicles near the intersection of Underwood and Craig streets shortly after 2 p.m. Friday.
The woman was found near the river off Allenby Road and arrested.
The IIO said the woman had “an interaction” with police while she was being taken into custody.
She sustained an injury described as serious and was taken to hospital for treatment, the agency said, adding that it was notified of the incident the same day.
IIO investigates all officer-related incidents that result in serious harm or death, whether or not there is any allegation of wrongdoing.
On Friday afternoon, Cowichan Tribes warned its members to avoid its office complex and the general area around Allenby and River roads due to a security incident at its offices at 5760 Allenby Rd.
Shortly before 3 p.m., the nation said on social media that the incident was resolved and its offices would reopened.
The Cowichan Tribes thanked RCMP for its quick response. “Everyone is safe.”
The IIO asks anyone with relevant information about the incident to contact its toll-free witness line at 1-855-446-8477 or online at iiobc.ca.
