The IIO was created in September 2012 under the BC Ministry of Justice in response to Braidwood Inquiry recommendations provided to the Government of BC by Justices Braidwood and Davies which indicated the need for an independent province-wide oversight agency to increase transparency and accountability of police oversight for the public.

The agency is based in Surrey, British Columbia and is currently led by Chief Civilian Director Jessica Berglund.

The director of the IIO is a civilian position and the holder is required to have never served as a police officer.

The agency itself consists of teams of investigators who may not have served as a police officer within the past five years.

In British Columbia, law enforcement agencies forward their investigative reports to Crown Counsel.