NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release 2009PSSG0040-000695 November 27, 2009

Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General

 

PROVINCE TO CO-HOST FORUM ON POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY

 

VANCOUVER – The timely and transparent investigation of complaints against police will be the focus of discussion at a forum of law enforcement professionals, academics, politicians and advocates, Solicitor General Kash Heed and Simon Fraser University professor of criminology Rob Gordon, announced today.

 

“Our government’s vision is for accountability, transparency and effectiveness to be the hallmarks of policing in British Columbia,” said Heed. “Maintaining the public’s confidence in our police forces is vital, and all the representatives participating in this discussion will bring a unique perspective based on their experience and expertise as we move forward on ensuring that the police complaints process best serves all the citizens of this province.”

 

The forum is co-hosted by the Province and Simon Fraser University. Opening remarks will be delivered by Solicitor General Kash Heed. Associate professor Dr. David MacAlister, Simon Fraser University school of criminology, will also set the stage for the discussions with his presentation entitled “Investigating Complaints Against Police: Framing the Issues.”

 

 A keynote panel will be made up of Paul Kennedy, chair of the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP; Stan Lowe, police complaint commissioner, B.C. Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner; and, Mr. Ian Scott, director, Ontario Special Investigations Unit. Panellists will speak to how their current model of investigating complaints operates and the challenges they face.

 

Representatives from RCMP “E” Division, the B.C. Police Association, the B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police and the B.C. Civil Liberties Association will each have an opportunity to respond to the keynote panellists. A general discussion among participants, including representatives from the Ontario and Alberta provincial governments, the Vancouver police union, MLAs, mayors, PIVOT and others will follow.

 

“Ensuring police accountability is probably one of the most challenging aspects of police management across Canada,” said Gordon. “We hope this forum will stimulate a broad, informed dialogue that will help to create the most effective, balanced and transparent system of police accountability possible.”  

 

 

The forum will be held on Monday, Nov. 30 at the Wosk Centre for Dialogue. Admission for 145 participants is free. However, pre-registration is required. At this time approximately 10 seats are available. To register, e-mail your name, title, phone number, postal and e-mail addresses to lyndafg@telus.net.

 

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Contact:	Public Affairs Bureau Public Safety and Solicitor General 250 356-6961	Contact:      Marianne Meadahl                     Simon Fraser University                     778 782.4323                     604 209.5770 (cell)

 

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