Police watchdog drops investigation of man injured after fight with Mounties

CRANBROOK, B.C. – B.C.’s police watchdog has ended its investigation involving a fight between Cranbrook RCMP officers and a man they were trying to arrest.

The Independent Investigations Office says the man was punched in the head several times when Mounties were attempting to arrest him last August.

Paramedics later determined the man had no injuries, but he complained of pain and a swollen eye after he was brought back to the RCMP detachment.

Investigators say the man was then taken to hospital, where he was diagnosed with a fractured orbital bone, but he didn’t require surgery or medical attention for the injury to heal.

Investigators say that since the injury didn’t cause permanent damage or serious harm, the IIO will no longer be involved in the case.

However, the IIO says the man has made allegations ofexcessive force, so the file will be forwarding to the RCMP Professional Standards Unit and the Commission of Public Complaints against the RCMP for review.