BC government introduces legislation to amend police complaints process

Last week, the British Columbia Legislature introduced Bill 6 -- Police (Misconduct, Complaints, Investigations, Discipline and Proceedings) Amendment Act, 2009. Solicitor-General John van Dongen stated that the legislation is intended to give effect to the recommendations of Justice Josiah Wood who prepared a 2007 report on the BC complaints process. Some of the changes include:

"— Making it mandatory for external police forces to investigate any in-custody death or serious injury.

— Empowering the complaints commissioner, not the police force facing allegations, to decide how to proceed with a complaint.

— Allowing the commissioner to track all investigations in real time.

— Compelling police officers to provide statements within five days of a request.

— Increasing the maximum-allowable suspension for misconduct to 30 days from five."

Posted by Professor Tanovich