Independent reports on policing

Review of the Vancouver Police Board’s Response to a Service and Policy Complaint Related to Street Checks (2021)

In December 2020, the Director of Police Services initiated a review under s. 42 of the Police Act based on a request by the Police Complaint Commissioner to assess how a service and policy complaint was handled by the Vancouver Police Board. The review was completed by an independent consultant. The consultant’s report makes recommendations aimed at enhancing the response to Service and Policy complaints moving forward.

• Review of the Vancouver Police Board’s Street Checks Complaint Process
• Terms of Reference for the Review

Report on Victoria and Esquimalt Policing – Governance and Funding Issues (2012)

This report makes recommendations to help create an effective, sustainable relationship and new approach for policing in the Victoria and Esquimalt municipalities. The report proposes an approach based on maintaining an amalgamated police department and board structure and offers recommendations to improve the current model.

• A Framework for Effectiveness: Report on Victoria and Esquimalt Policing – Governance and Funding

Independent Review of the Vancouver Stanley Cup Playoffs Riot (2011)

This report was commissioned by the Province of British Columbia, the City of Vancouver and the Vancouver Police Board to review planning prior to the final Stanley Cup game in 2011, and the violence that followed it.

• Executive Summary: The Night the City Became a Stadium: Independent Review of the 2011 Stanley Cup Riot
• Full Report: The Night the City Became a Stadium: Independent Review of the 2011 Stanley Cup Riot

Braidwood Commission of Inquiry on Conducted Energy Weapons and into the death of Robert Dziekanski

In 2007 an RCMP officer used a conducted energy weapon against Mr. Robert Dziekanski who later died. Concerns were expressed about the use of conducted energy weapons by police. In response the B.C. government commissioned two separate inquiries under the Public Inquiry Act.

• Phase One Report: Restoring Public Confidence: Restricting the Use of Conducted Energy Weapons in British Columbia (2009) – Includes recommendations respecting the appropriate use of the weapon and training.
• Phase Two Report: Why?  The Robert Dziekanski Tragedy (2010) – Reports on the death of Mr. Dziekanski.

Davies Commission of Inquiry into the Death of Frank Paul (2009 and 2010)

The Government of British Columbia appointed an independent commission of inquiry to examine the circumstances surrounding the death of Frank Joseph Paul who died from hypothermia due to exposure/alcohol intoxication. Mr. Paul, a Mi'kmaq from New Brunswick, was removed from the Vancouver Police Department lockup on December 5, 1998, and was left in a nearby alley by a police officer, where his body was found the next morning. The sole Commissioner, appointed under the Public Inquiry Act, was former B.C. Supreme Court Justice William H. Davies, Q.C.

• Alone and Cold – Interim Report (February 2009) of the Davies Commission Inquiry Into the Death of Frank Paul
• Alone and Cold – Final Report (June 2010) Criminal Justice Branch Response to the Davies Commission Inquiry

Illegal Movement of Firearms in British Columbia (2008)

This report provides an overview of the illegal movement and indiscriminate use of firearms in the province. It examines the firearms industry in the province, the regulatory framework for firearms control, the agencies involved in enforcement and regulation, the actions of these agencies and the issues associated with the control of firearms.

• Report on the Illegal Movement of Firearms in British Columbia

Review of the Police Complaints Process, Josiah Wood, QC (2007)

In 2005 the Solicitor General instructed the Director of Policing and Security Branch to conduct a review of the Police Complaint Process, under the Police Act.

Josiah Wood, QC, was appointed by the director to assist with the review and to prepare a report with recommendations to improve Part IX of the Police Act.

• Report on the Review of Police Complaints Process in B.C.
  • Appendix A - Recommendations
  • Appendix B - Report on the Administrative Audit conducted
  • Appendix C - Report on the Investigative Audit conducted
  • Appendix D - Report on the Police Awareness Survey conducted
  • Appendix E - Report on the Public Awareness Survey conducted
  • Appendix F - Report on the Core Area Awareness Survey conducted
  • Appendix G - Review participants
  • Appendix H - Review plan

Municipal Police Board Governance in B.C. – Research Report (2003)

The intent of this research was to establish a framework to increase the governance capacity of police boards in the province.

• Municipal Police Board Governance in B.C.