An independent police oversight agency is looking into a claim that Coquitlam RCMP injured a man by closing a car door on his leg.
The incident was reported last Saturday, Dec. 15, when Coquitlam RCMP notified the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. (IIO) that a male had complained his left ankle hurt and that it was caused by an officer closing the police vehicle door on his leg.
The injury reportedly occurred the night before, at approximately 10:55 p.m., when officers were called to a fight between two males. Officers arrested one man for being intoxicated in public and was taken to jail.
However, the next morning the man complained about his injury and was taken by ambulance to Eagle Ridge Hospital, where initial reports suggested the man suffered a broken fibia.
In a press release issued Monday, the IIO reported that it will be investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. However, initial enquiries revealed the male reported the injury to be an accident.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is asked to contact the IIO witness line at 1-855-446-8477.
The IIO is an independent civilian oversight agency of police in B.C. It investigates all officer-related incidents that result in serious harm or death, whether or not there is any allegation of wrongdoing.
