Kelowna cop absolved of wrongdoing after police dog bite sent man to hospital

B.C.'s police watchdog has determined no charges are necessary after a man was bit by a police dog on the Okanagan Rail Trail last year and required surgery.

On Aug. 1, 2020, an RCMP investigation into a stolen electric mountain bike led officers to the Okanagan Rail Trail near Hardy Street in Kelowna.

The potential suspect was bitten by a police dog and he was later taken to hospital, according to a news release from the Independent Investigations Office of B.C.

After reviewing the evidence, the civilian oversight agency found no reason to believe a police officer committed an offence.

Normally, the Independent Investigations Office would release a full report detailing the investigation, but there are currently related offences going through B.C. courts.

The investigation was concluded in April, but a full report is expected once the court process in finished, the IIO said.

The IIO is the independent civilian oversight agency of the 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.


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Levi Landry

Levi is a recent graduate of the Communications, Culture, & Journalism program at Okanagan College and is now based in Kamloops. After living in the BC for over four years, he finds the blue collar and neighbourly environment in the Thompson reminds him of home in Saskatchewan. Levi, who has previously been published in Kelowna’s Daily Courier, is passionate about stories focussed on both social issues and peoples’ experiences in their local community. If you have a story or tips to share, you can reach Levi at 250 819 3723 or email LLandry@infonews.ca.

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