B.C.’s proposed civilian-led police complaints office should investigate all allegations against police — not just serious incidents, Vancouver’s police chief claimed yesterday.
Chief Const. Jim Chu said expanding the mandate of the Independent Investigative Office (IIO) to handle all police complaints would save money and would eliminate the perception of police bias.
The government announced in June that an IIO would be created to investigate serious police incidents and deaths in police custody.
Solicitor General Michael de Jong said Chu’s comments are welcome, as the legislation to establish the IIO is drafted for the spring sitting of the Legislature.
“The Vancouver Police Department has come a long way along this continuum,” de Jong said.
“I think his remarks today were really helpful.”
