A commission of provincial politicians from all parties has recommended that British Columbia stop using the RCMP and form its own police force.
The Special Commission on Police Law Reform said Thursday that the provincial police force will establish a more consistent standard for police response, training and oversight for officers across British Columbia
In its report, the commission said the change would restore public confidence in the police.
“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 responsiveness and community liaison,” the commission said in a 96-page report.
“The transition provides an opportunity to create a provincial police service that better reflects the current police needs of British Colombians.
The report, entitled Transforming Police and Community Safety in British Columbia, includes 11 recommendations that the commission says will improve police and accountability in the province.
Public Safety Secretary Mike Farnworth said the province has already begun contacting its partners to discuss the recommendations.
“The recommendations of the Special Committee on Police Reform reflect the conviction of our government that everyone deserves equal treatment by the police,” Farnworth, who is not a member of the All-Party Committee, said in a statement.
“This has not always been the case for many indigenous, black and other people of color. “Public trust requires that the provision of police services be fair, equitable and accountable to all British Colombians.”
Committee Chairman Doug Routley, a member of the NDP in the Nanaimo-North Cowichan Legislative Assembly (MLA), said the “structure and delivery” of police services in British Columbia is currently being challenged, which has contributed to a “lack of confidence” in the police.
Vice President Dan Davis, BC Liberal MLA for Peace River North, said police have been used as the “first person in charge” of mental health and other “complex social issues” are seen as a major problem. He said the commission sees a need for more resources to be made available to other services, such as social workers, to deal with such cases.
The full list of recommendations includes:
- The transition of the Armed Forces to a new provincial police service governed by a new Community Security and Police Act;
- that indigenous communities have a direct contribution to their police services;
- Government “to create and adequately fund a continuous response to mental health, addictions and other complex social issues” and to integrate mental health services into 911 options;
- Reforming police funding models to be fairer and fairer for municipalities; and
- Require police services to collect and publicly report race-based and other demographic data to address systemic racism in the police.
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