BCCLA releases report on RCMP in northern and rural BC
The BCCLA has released a report it says is a “temperature taking” of the public mood around the RCMP in 14 rural and northern B.C. communities. Reports of the good, like beat policing, and the bad, like allegations of systemic rights violations against youth, aboriginal people, and the homeless, are documented in the over 100 page report.
More than 300 British Columbians participated in the BCCLA workshops, sharing what they like – and don’t like – about their local detachments.
“Our report tries to reproduce faithfully the public’s concerns raised during these workshops,” says David Eby, Executive Director of the Association and the report’s author. “Where possible we’ve used the exact words of the participants. What we’ve tried to accomplish is a fully transparent opinion survey of the RCMP’s practices so that they can improve the services they deliver.”
The report identifies a number of RCMP practices that contribute to a positive public impression of the force, including the use of officers walking or biking the beat, and liaison officers who connect with community groups and proactively resolve problems.
The report also highlights three cities, Prince George, Williams Lake and, most concerning, Terrace, as areas where the RCMP should place increased attention in order to ensure that public confidence in the force is maintained. Participants were nearly universal in sharing the opinion that police should no longer investigate themselves in B.C.
“We don’t have the resources to investigate each and every allegation that was made in this report,” says Eby. “So we’re sharing these concerns as a whole with the RCMP and the province to encourage them to identify trends and resolve some of these systemic issues through any means reasonably available, including through the inclusion of appropriate service, oversight, complaint resolution and investigation standards in the RCMP contract with British Columbia which is currently being negotiated.”
MEDIA CONTACTS:
David Eby, Executive Director, (778) 865-7997
Robert Holmes, President, (604) 681-1310
RCMP Northern Tour Report Backgrounder
About the Report
In August 2010, spurred by negotiations to extend the RCMP contract in BC, the BCCLA held a series of 16 workshops in 14 cities and rural communities in central and northern British Columbia. In each community the workshop was hosted by a local community group or community member and was facilitated by a lawyer from the BCCLA. More than 300 people participated, many contributing their opinions and comments, and the key issues that arose were compiled in this report.
Key Findings:
- Beat policing and bicycle policing, and the officers who walk or bike the beat or are otherwise involved in community activities and community life, were almost universally praised during the tour.
- RCMP liaison officers (people with connections to the RCMP who are not full members) were lauded for their ability to bridge community group and member concerns to the RCMP.
- A lack of de-escalation skills in RCMP officers was a noted issue in far too many communities.
- A pattern of negative interaction with Aboriginal people was reported particularly in Terrace, but also in Merritt, Kamloops, Williams Lake, Bella Coola, Anahim Lake, Smithers, and Campbell River.
- A lack of provincial consultation with aboriginal leadership in the RCMP contract negotiation process despite government obligations to consult aboriginal people on matters that affect them is deeply concerning.
- Failure to protect the safety and rights of intoxicated individuals, and inadequate resources to address properly the healthcare needs of these at risk individuals was a common issue reported.
- Reports of inadequate cell facilities in small communities leading to increased risk of suicide and problematic holding conditions for women were common.
- Short-term officer placements of rookie officers in small communities led residents to feel that their towns are “training centre” for new officers.
- Perceived lack of accountability of RCMP members, due primarily to issues with self-investigation, was raised repeatedly as an issue throughout the tour.
Terrace (pp. 85 -100)
A troubling picture of policing, particularly of aboriginal and homeless people, in Terrace was presented throughout the workshop, particularly in interviews with street-involved residents (94-100).
Merritt (pp. 25-28)
Amidst praise for community programs (25), concerns were raised about differential treatment of aboriginal people, noting the perception that it is not uncommon for calls to primarily aboriginal areas to go unanswered and unrecorded (26-27). Concerns around aggressive or improper treatment of aboriginal people, youth, intoxicated individuals, and victims of crime were also raised (26-28).
Kamloops (pp. 29-32)
While the Skeetchestn Indian Band tripartite reserve policing agreement is seen as a highly functional model that should be replicated, the relationship between the RCMP and the off-reserve aboriginal community is strained (29-31). “Red zones” (30) and cell facilities for women and children (31-32) were particularly troubling issues.
Williams Lake (pp. 33-41)
The cases of Lloyd Gilbert (34), Kurtis Billy (35), Oren Mostad (36), Nick Weekes (36) and WelcometoWilliamsLake.ca (36) highlighted concerns about alleged RCMP aggression (38-41) and public accountability.
Bella Coola (pp. 43-45)
Key issues in the area reported involve allegations of improper and illegal searches (43-44), and strained officer-community relations. Troublingly, despite repeated solicitation for positive aspects of the local detachment, the 53 participants were unable or unwilling to offer positive examples of RCMP behavior (43).
Anahim Lake (pp. 47-51)
Recently arrived officers had improved the dynamic between the police force and community (47). However, cultural differences, short placements, and inadequate training (48) contributed to a negative view of RCMP and their activities, as did fees charged for a night in jail (47) and overzealous traffic enforcement (50).
Prince George (pp. 53-56)
In the context of perceived RCMP indifference to investigating the Highway of Tears, a number of troubling allegations have arisen (53-54), fuelling a lack of trust (55). Community policing programs (54) and RCMP community participation (55) have contributed to local appreciation for the RCMP despite these incidents.
Fort St. John (pp. 57-61)
Participants spoke of numerous positive programs that increased respect for the RCMP (57-58). Concerns included deaths in custody and inadequate services for people with addictions and mental health issues that led to confrontations and problems with police (58-60).
Houston (pp. 63)
At the home of the notorious Ian Bush shooting, the workshop audience was too small to draw conclusions about trends in the community (63).
Smithers (pp. 65-69)
Community policing initiatives were praised (65) but concerns were raised about officer awareness and sensitivity to HIV/AIDS issues, officer interactions with aboriginal youth, and addiction issues (67-68).
Dawson Creek (pp. 71-73)
Community policing programs were praised (71), but issues with a lack of accountability (71-72) and mistrust fostered by the “Mr. Big” sting operations (81) were key concerns raised by participants.
Campbell River (pp. 77-80)
Progressive community policing initiatives were complimented (77), however concerns were raised regarding differential policing of aboriginal people (78-80), breaches of confidentiality (79-80) and inadequate cells for youth and women (79).
Prince Rupert (pp. 81-83)
Participants reported that a lack of addictions services and RCMP inability to deal with this issue creates negative interactions (81-83), creating a poor view of police in the community (82-84).
Quesnel (pp. 101-104)
Participants listed individual officers who do exceptional work (101); however concerns about inappropriate questioning of witnesses (101-102), a lack of accountability (102), allegations of racial profiling (103) and issues with Part 4 of Criminal Record Checks affecting employability (104) were expressed.
