Statement from Deputy Commissioner Craig Callens, Commanding Officer, RCMP in British Columbia

Press Release

February 16, 2017

I would like to acknowledge the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission report on Policing in Northern BC. The report provides an external overview of a sample of RCMP occurrence files between 2008 and 2012, as well as input from a small number of community members, representatives of human rights and civil liberties organizations, and RCMP employees.

As noted in the report, the RCMP has accepted each of the reports 45 findings, and has implemented 26 of the 31 recommendations. We expect the remaining five recommendations will be fully implemented by May 2017.

The recommendations focused on six areas: personal searches, policing of public intoxication, interaction with youth, use of force, domestic violence and missing persons. The RCMP has further implemented policy and/or procedural changes in each of these areas and most significantly in the areas of domestic violence and missing persons investigations since 2012.

With respect to missing persons investigations, all enhancements are consistent with the recommendations arising from the Oppal Inquiry. The RCMP were active participants in the development, and have fully adopted, the British Columbia Provincial Policing Standard for Missing Person Investigations. The BC Police Missing Persons Centre has been enhanced and continues to provide an appropriate level of oversight to missing person investigations across the province consistent with the Provincial Standard.

I am pleased that there were no findings of systemic problems with the RCMP’s actions in northern British Columbia. Although gaps were identified, I can confidently say that the RCMP has implemented policy or procedural updates to make the necessary improvements.

While the CRCC final report references possible perceptions of bias towards First Nations persons, our work and direct interactions with local First Nations leaders and stakeholders has seen a continued increase in satisfaction with the RCMP in British Columbia since the dated analysis completed by the CRCC.

The report found that the general perception of the RCMP in smaller or rural communities was positive but that we have more work to do with First Nations populations in the larger urban centres. I would like to note that we have implemented and are actively engaged in an urban-based First Nations policing strategy.

A 2016 survey of First Nations leaders indicated an upward trend in the alignment of policing priorities with First Nations community priorities; higher engagement with First Nations youth; greater understanding of First Nations culture; and, an increase in the quality of two-way communication.
First Nations Policing is an important priority for us. I am very proud of the work our Detachment Commanders, front line police officers and the RCMP members within our Aboriginal Policing Services are doing every day across the province in support of safe and healthy First Nations communities. I appreciate their dedication, commitment and professionalism.

Policing by its nature is a very fluid and evolving environment. The BC RCMP is committed to continually assess our policing practices, including all areas covered by the report, and we look forward to continuing to work with the community on further changes and improvements.

ILR5