B.C.'s civilian-based police watchdog has cleared a Prince George RCMP member of criminal wrongdoing related to a struggle with a errant cyclist nearly two years ago.
In a statement issued Thursday, the Independent Investigations Office said there were no reasonable grounds to believe that any officer has committed an offence.
The decision stems from a May 11, 2019 arrest that began when the officer noticed a cyclist weaving between lanes and not wearing a helmet near the corner of 5th Avenue and Douglas Street.
"The officer stopped the cyclist to issue a violation ticket and subsequently attempted to arrest the man for unrelated offences. A struggle ensued a short distance away on Alward Street, and the man sustained a serious injury while being taken into custody," the IIO said.
"The man was transported to RCMP cells, and medical attention was provided the following morning."
The IIO said it reviewed statements from the affected person and several witnesses, medical evidence, detachment video and police records in reaching its conclusion.
The IIO added that the matter has been referred to the RCMP for consideration of potential issues regarding prisoner care that fall outside of the IIO’s mandate.
