The special police law reform commission said on Thursday that a provincial police force would create a more consistent model for police response, training and oversight of officers throughout BC. In its report, the commission said the change would also rebuild public confidence in policing. “The committee members were of the opinion that the transition to a new provincial police service would improve local accountability and decision-making, as well as accountability and connection with the community,” the committee said in its 96-page report. “The transition provides an opportunity to establish a provincial police service that better reflects the modern policing needs of British Colombians.” The report, called Transforming Policing and Community Safety in British Columbia, contained 11 recommendations that the commission said would improve policing and accountability in the province. Public Safety Secretary Mike Farnworth said the county has already begun contacting its partners to discuss the recommendations. “The recommendations of the Special Committee on Police Law Reform echo our government’s belief that everyone deserves equal treatment by the police,” said Farnworth, who is not a member of the All-Party Committee. “This has not always been the case for many indigenous, black and other people of color. Public confidence requires that the provision of police services be fair, equitable and responsive to all British Colombians.” Committee Chairman Doug Routley, NLA member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Nanaimo-North Cowichan, said the “structure and provision” of police services in BC is currently being questioned, which has contributed to the “lack of trust”. ” to the police. Vice President Dan Davies, BC Liberal MLA for Peace River North, said policing used as “default first responders” in mental health and other “complex social issues” was a major issue. He said the commission saw the need to give more resources to other services, such as social workers, to deal with such cases. The full list of recommendations includes:
This BC transition to a new provincial police service governed by a new Community Safety and Policing Act. That indigenous communities have a direct contribution to their police services. That the government “adequately creates and funds a continuum of response to mental health, addictions and other complex social issues” and that mental health services are integrated into 911 options. The reform of police funding models to be more “fair and equitable” for municipalities. and Require police to collect and report public data based on race and other demographic data in order to tackle systemic racism in policing.
