A member of the Lower Mainland Integrated Police Dog Services has been charged with assault in connection with the arrest of a man for property-related offences.

On March 31, at approximately 8 a.m., members of the Surrey RCMP with support from a member of the Lower Mainland Integrated Police Dog Services attended a Surrey residence to effect the arrest of a man in connection with property-related offences.

Following the arrest, police received information that a police officer may have assaulted the man during the course of the arrest. The Surrey RCMP Professional Standards Unit initiated an investigation and forwarded all circumstances of the incident to the BC Prosecution Service for their assessment of criminal charges.

On Tuesday (August 29), one count of assault was laid against Cpl. Todd Abram of the Lower Mainland Integrated Police Dog Services. In addition to this criminal investigation, a parallel RCMP Code of Conduct investigation was also conducted. Cpl. Abram is currently on administrative duties. His duty status will be subject to ongoing reviews.

Cpl. Abram will be appearing in Surrey Provincial Court on a date still to be determined.