Woman seriously injured during Chilliwack arrest; IIO called

A woman arrested by RCMP in Chilliwack last weekend was seriously injured and will require surgery, the province’s police watchdog said.

Around 2:30 a.m. Saturday, police were called to a bar on Gaetz Street for reports of an intoxicated woman, B.C.’s Independent Investigations Office said in a statement.

“Upon arrival, officers located the woman and attempted to speak to her. There was an interaction and officers arrested her, resulting in serious injuries,” an agency spokesperson wrote.

“She was then taken by ambulance to a hospital where it was determined she would require surgery.”

The IIO is called in when an interaction with police results in serious injury or death, regardless of whether there are allegations of misconduct.

Chilliwack RCMP said police were called to the bar because the woman was impaired and behind the wheel of a parked car.

“The woman eventually exited the vehicle, but then attempted to reenter it. Officers attempted to stop her, but the situation escalated and ultimately led to officers taking her into custody,” a statement from the detachment said.

Anyone with information is urged to call the IIO at 1-855-446-8477