BCCOS Compliments and Complaints

On this page

• The BCCOS Office of Professional Standards 
• How to contact a supervisor
• How to submit a compliment 
• Types of complaints
• How to submit an officer conduct complaint
• How to submit a service complaint
• How complaints are administered 
• BCCOS Officer Misconduct and Complaints Policy and Code of Professional Conduct
• BCCOS Service and Officer Complaints Summary

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Every day, the BC Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) is building on its vision to be a global leader and trusted partner in the protection of fish, wildlife and the environment.

As a public safety provider, we focus on natural resource law enforcement and responses to human-wildlife conflicts that threaten public safety. Questions or concerns about wildlife management in B.C., such as deer populations or orphaned bear cubs, are best addressed by wildlife biologists with the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship.

The BCCOS recognizes that maintaining public trust and confidence in the communities it serves is essential. Conservation officers must conduct themselves in a manner reflective of the values and expectations of the people they serve in B.C.

Conservation officers are provincial government employees who abide by the Public Service Standards of Conduct as well as the Professional Code of Conduct of BC Conservation Officers.

The BCCOS Office of Professional Standards 

The Office of Professional Standards (OPS) is an independent section within the BCCOS, reporting directly to the Chief Conservation Officer. The OPS is responsible for the administration of investigations regarding allegations of officer misconduct and complaints regarding the service or policies of the BCCOS.

The goal of the OPS is to conduct thorough, objective and fair investigations into alleged officer misconduct. The Officer In Charge of the OPS can be reached at COSProfessionalStandards@gov.bc.ca 

How to contact a supervisor 

If you have a question or concern that you would like brought to the attention of an officer's supervisor, or would like to share a positive experience, please reach out to COSProfessionalStandards@gov.bc.ca 

Public feedback is welcomed and encouraged. 

How to submit a compliment

If you would like to pass along a compliment to a conservation officer, or would like to share a positive experience, we would appreciate hearing from you. We're proud of the dedicated officers who make up the BC Conservation Officer Service and thank you for your comments.

If you would like to provide a compliment, please email the BCCOS at Conservation.Officer.Service@gov.bc.ca

Types of complaints

The BCCOS takes every complaint seriously. Our policy manages two distinct types of complaints.

Officer conduct complaints 

• A complaint about the conduct (words, behaviour or actions) of an officer.
• Misconduct such as discreditable conduct, neglect of duty, deceit, improper disclosure of information, corrupt practice, improper use or care of firearms, abuse of authority or improper off-duty conduct.

Service complaints 

• A complaint about the policies, training or services of our agency.
• A complaint that concerns the quality of our agency's service to the community, officer training, or the effectiveness of our organizational processes or policies, such as response times or communication.

Conservation officers are also Special Provincial Constables under the Police Act. As such, complaints related to law enforcement are administered under the Special Provincial Constable Complaints and Discipline Regulation (SPCCDR).

How to submit an officer conduct complaint 

A person who is directly affected by, or witnessed, alleged misconduct by an officer may submit a complaint. A person may also submit a complaint on behalf of another person, if they are unable to provide consent due to age, medical or physical condition.

Complaints must be submitted in writing within six months of the incident, either via the BCCOS complaint form or by email to COSProfessionalStandards@gov.bc.ca 

To submit a formal complaint, the following information must be provided:

• Your full name and address
• The date, time and location of the incident
• The details of the complaint, including the officer's name, if known
• A description of the conduct, in as much detail as possible, and
• The name of any witnesses, if known

If you require assistance with filing a complaint, please contact the BCCOS at COSProfessionalStandards@gov.bc.ca You may also contact any BCCOS staff member for assistance.

Complete the BCCOS Complaint Form 

How to submit a service complaint

Anyone can submit a service complaint.

Complaints must be submitted in writing within six months of the incident, either via the BCCOS complaint form or by email to COSProfessionalStandards@gov.bc.ca 

Complete the BCCOS Complaint Form

How complaints are administered

All complaints are promptly reviewed. You will be contacted by the BCCOS Office of Professional Standards to confirm the receipt of your complaint and how it will be processed.

Officer conduct complaints 

Complaints that allege officer misconduct when conducting law enforcement activities are managed under Section 4 of the BCCOS Officer Misconduct and Complaints Policy, and are referred to the Director or Policing and Law Enforcement Services with the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General. The Director reviews the complaint to determine whether it is admissible under the Special Provincial Constable Complaints and Discipline Regulation (SPCCDR) and will contact you regarding the status of your complaint.

 Complaints that allege officer misconduct involving duties other than law enforcement will be administered under Section 5 of the BCCOS Officer Misconduct and Complaints Policy. If your complaint is deemed admissible, the BCCOS will assign an investigator to conduct a formal investigation.

Depending on the nature of the alleged misconduct, it may be appropriate for all parties involved that the investigation be carried out by an independent qualified third party to ensure impartiality. You will receive the results of the investigation, which will include a summary of the findings and whether misconduct was substantiated. An informal resolution may be considered, where appropriate, to resolve the complaint. Any informal resolution must be agreed upon by the complainant and respondent officer. 

Service complaints

A BCCOS deputy chief or designate will be assigned the complaint. If the complaint does not appear to be sensitive or complex, an informal resolution may be considered, such as providing advice or information. 

For more complex matters, further research or investigation may be initiated to address the complaint. Upon the conclusion of the investigation, you will be notified with a summary of the results, explanation of agency’s actions and proposed next steps. This may include amendments to procedures or policies. We are committed to ensuring our policies are clear, concise and transparent and will consider amendments as necessary.

BCCOS Officer Misconduct and Complaints Policy and Code of Professional Conduct 

For complete details, review the BCCOS Officer Misconduct and Complaints Policy

For related information, review the BCCOS Policy: Code of Professional Conduct (PDF, 634KB).

Collection Notice: Your personal information is collected under Section 26(a) [authorized under section 3 of the Special Provincial Constable Complaints and Discipline Regulation] and 26(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. This information is collected for the purpose of receiving and reviewing your complaint. If you have any questions about this collection, please email Conservation.Officer.Service@gov.bc.ca

BCCOS Service and Officer Complaints Summary

This table provides an annual summary of complaints received by BCCOS:

Summary of BCCOS Complaints	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025
Service Complaints (Total)	0	5	7	11	6	16	5
Unsubstantiated	0	2	2	10	6	13	3
Policy/Procedure Amended	0	0	0	1	0	0	1
Informal Resolution	0	3	5	0	0	3	1
Officer Complaints (Total)	7	7	7	4	10	14	8
Unsubstantiated	4	3	4	3	6	12	2
Substantiated	1	1	1	0	1	0	0
Complaint Withdrawn	0	0	0	0	0	0	2
Informal Resolution	2	3	2	1	3	1	0
Still Under Investigation	0	0	0	0	0	1	3

Definitions

• Substantiated: A complaint which, following investigation, is proven to have merit and corrective or disciplinary actions will be taken
• Unsubstantiated: An officer was found to have committed no misconduct following an investigation, or the complaint was dismissed, as it did not meet the criteria of a service complaint (i.e. outside the BCCOS mandate)
• Informal resolution: Where appropriate, this may be an option for resolving a complaint, with a focus on dialogue and education. An informal resolution must be agreed upon by the complainant and respondent officer.
• SIU: Still under investigation