External Relations for Major Case Management

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Definitions

Major Case: For the purpose of these Standards, includes:

(a) The types of investigations listed in Standard (1) of BCPPS 5.2.1 Threshold and Reporting); 
(b) Any other investigation, including a type or category of investigation, or a particular investigation, which the Chief Constable, Chief Officer, or Commissioner, or a delegate thereof, has determined, with due regard to the factors listed in Standard (3) of BCPPS 5.2.1 Threshold and Reporting), requires Major Case Management.

Team Commander: A member of the Command Triangle and the person to whom overall authority, responsibility and accountability for an investigation are conferred, including its resources (human and physical) and mandate, and adherence to the principles of Major Case Management.

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Standards

Victim liaison

The Chief Constable, Chief Officer or Commissioner must ensure that:

(1) The responsibility for victim liaison is assigned to a designated person, working under the direction of the Team Commander.

(2) The Team Commander ensures that the obligations of police under the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights and the British Columbia Victims of Crime Act are upheld throughout a Major Case investigation.

(3) The Team Commander ensures that the victim is provided with information to assist them in dealing with the media and interest by the public in the investigation.

(4) Wherever possible, when information is released to the victim or their immediate family it is done:

(a) By the designated victim liaison for the investigation;
(b) After approval and authorizations by the Team Commander; and
(c) Where appropriate, in advance of the information being released to the general public.

(5) Contact with the victim is documented.

Media

The Chief Constable, Chief Officer or Commissioner must ensure that:

(6) Responsibility for media liaison is assigned to a designated member of the police service, working under the direction of the Team Commander.

(7) The business rules for a Major Case investigation include procedures and/or processes to ensure that information about the investigation is shared appropriately with the media, including, where appropriate, how the media may be used to further the investigation.

(8) Photographs of the victim are not released to the media without the victim’s or family’s permission, unless authorized by the Team Commander.

Community impact assessments

The Chief Constable, Chief Officer or Commissioner must ensure that:

(9) Consideration is given to conducting a community impact assessment for a Major Case investigation, to determine the impact of the crime or incident, and the ensuing police investigation, on the community.

(10) A community impact assessment must be conducted by a person familiar with the community and must include, at minimum:

(a) Identifying the groups and/or individuals affected by the incident(s); and
(b) Analyzing the potential impacts of the incident(s) on those groups and/or individuals, including their likelihood and significance.

(11) If the community impact assessment identifies significant risks to the safety of members of the community, relationships between groups or individuals in the community, police and community relations, or the reputation of the police service, options for managing those risks (e.g., community meetings, high visibility patrols) are identified.

Liaison with Crown Counsel

The Chief Constable, Chief Officer or Commissioner must ensure that:

(12) Early and ongoing communication and consultation with Crown Counsel occurs during a Major Case investigation to address potential legal or prosecution issues, including:

(a) Complex or sensitive legal applications;
(b) The use of complex investigative techniques, novel investigative techniques, or investigative techniques that raise such issues as proportionality, intrusiveness, and community standards;
(c) Any requests for consideration or immunity agreements for potential witnesses;
(d) Preparation of file materials for disclosure;
(e) Preparation of the Report to Crown Counsel; and
(f) Other matters of mutual concern.

Policies and procedures

The Chief Constable, Chief Officer or Commissioner must ensure that:

(13) Policies and procedures are consistent with these BC Provincial Policing Standards.