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Support Information for Police Oversight and Complaints

Last updated on October 20, 2022

Last updated: October 12, 2022

What is police oversight?

Police oversight is intended to help hold police officers accountable for their actions. It may include reviews of public complaints involving police conduct or investigations of police-involved incidents of death or serious bodily harm.

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Police oversight agencies in B.C.

In B.C., several agencies provide separate oversight functions. Each agency has a different mandate.

Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner (OPCC) 

  • Oversees public complaints involving the conduct of municipal police officers and other designated police officers in B.C. (for example, Special Municipal Constables, the Metro Vancouver Transit Police, Stl’atl’imx Tribal Police and Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit)

Support agencies are available to provide additional assistance in the police complaint process.

Civilian Review and Complaints Commission (CRCC) for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) 

  • A federal government agency that oversees public complaints involving the conduct of on-duty RCMP members

Independent Investigations Office (IIO) 

  • A civilian-led, independent oversight agency whose role is to investigate police-involved incidents of death or serious bodily harm involving a member of any police force in B.C., whether on or off duty, and special constables while on duty
  • The IIO does not address public complaints about police conduct

Other agencies that may be involved

When a police-involved death or serious injury occurs, other agencies can be involved.

BC Prosecution Service (BCPS) 

  • If, after the completion of an IIO investigation, the Chief Civilian Director of the IIO concludes that there are reasonable grounds to believe that an officer may have committed an offence, the matter may be referred to Crown Counsel for consideration of charges
  • The BCPS reviews the IIO’s report and determines whether to approve criminal charges and initiate prosecution, according to the BCPS Police – Allegations Against Peace Officers (POL 1) policy

BC Coroners Service (BCCS) 

  • The BCCS is responsible for investigating and determining the circumstances of all unnatural, sudden, unexpected, unexplained or unattended deaths in the province 
  • BCCS investigations typically follow the conclusion of the IIO’s investigation
  • Once the IIO and/or BCPS announce their decision(s), the BCCS will report their findings to the Chief Coroner and a decision will be made on whether to direct an inquest
  • An inquest is a public review of the circumstances of a death

Note: While each oversight agency strives to provide information to the public in as timely and transparent a manner as possible, to preserve the integrity of investigations and in compliance with relevant privacy legislation, detailed information may not be made public. Where practicable, oversight agencies may provide more details at the conclusion of an investigation, including a summary of the incident and rationale for the decision.

 

An Affected Person is an individual who has experienced serious harm or loss of a loved one in a police-involved incident. 

BC Bereavement Helpline

A free and confidential service that connects the public to grief support services.

Contact the Helpline:

1-604-738-9950

Toll Free:

1-877-779-2223

Hours:

Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm

Email:

contact@bcbh.ca

Website:

bcbh.ca