The New Westminster Police Department is investigating a use of force incident in Prince George.
The local police department has confirmed that it has taken on an external investigation into a use of force incident that occurred in Prince George on May 11, in response to a request from the Prince George RCMP to ensure the investigation was conducted in an independent and transparent manner.
According to the New Westminster Police Department, four members of its major crime unit have traveled to Prince George to begin their investigation. Updates on the investigation will be provided when they are available.
RCMP in Prince George asked the New Westminster Police Department to investigate a complaint about the arrest of a youth involving a police service dog.
A Prince George RCMP press release states that police responded to a complaint of an alleged attack on two females who had been sprayed in the face with bear mace at a local carnival at about 11:30 p.m. on May 11.
"Police attended, including a police service dog, to conduct a search for an armed suspect. The dog and handler established a track, which led them to a locked compound where a suspect was located. The police service dog was used to assist in the arrest of the suspect and the suspect suffered a bite on the leg," stated the RCMP press release. "The suspect was taken to hospital for medical treatment of the bite wound. A can of bear mace was later seized. The suspect turned out to be a 12-year-old female."
According to the RCMP, the suspect's mother attended the Prince George detachment on June 7 to make a public complaint about the arrest. The Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP was notified of the complaint.
