IIO investigating after bystander injured by police dog in New Westminster takedown

The Independent Investigations Office is looking into an incident stemming from the Vancouver policetakedown this weekof three suspects wanted in connection witha double-homicide.

Police arrested the three, Sept. 19,shortly after they crashed into a vehicle onEast Eighth Avenue in New Westminster.

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During the arrests, an innocentman attempted to flee the scene after his automobilewas hitby the suspect vehicle, according to acting VPD Sgt. Brian Montague.

He was bitten by a police service dog and is now in a local hospital with serious injuries.

"We apologize that someone from the public had to get caught up in something like that," said Montague, who also said police would be reaching out to the family.

Montague didn't directly defend the incidentbut said it arose out of the chaotic nature of the takedown, which involved rescuing a person who was allegedly kidnapped by the suspects.

"We're dealing with armed people who are potentially alleged to have committed murders, who have a kidnap victim in their vehicle, and we had to act very quickly," he said.

TheIIO says it will determinewhether any officer committed an offence as a result of the injuries the man suffered and will be interviewinginvolved officers and witnesses.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is asked to call the IIOat1-855-446-8477.