3317 replies to this topic

[pontcanna]

SPD LAUNCHES SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS SECTION

 

November 14, 2022

 

The Saanich Police Department has launched a new investigative unit titled the Special Investigations Section (SIS), whose primary responsibility will be the investigation of all current and historical sexual offences against all persons.

 

The team of investigators, consisting of two sergeants and seven constables, has been assembled by reallocating existing resources and restructuring other sections within the police department, plus the addition of one new officer being added due to an increase in staffing levels from the 2022 budget.

 

In keeping with our commitment to our key strategic priority of investigative excellence, this dedicated team of investigators will receive specialized training to investigate allegations and ensure survivors are cared for with the best trauma-informed practices.

 

“The creation of the SIS is a vital step forward that clearly demonstrates our commitment to continuous improvement, service and investigative excellence, and survivor support, care, and wellbeing,” said Chief Constable Dean Duthie. “This highly experienced team of investigators will ensure that survivors of sexual offences are supported and kept informed throughout the entire investigative process.” 

 

The Saanich Police Department would like to express our gratitude and appreciation to the Saanich Police Board and Saanich Municipal Council for their support of this important and meaningful initiative.

 

 

 

[pontcanna]

Lack of access to information cited as one reason for Victoria police board member resignation

A member of the Victoria and Esquimalt Police Board has resigned effective November 30, citing a lack of access to information as one reason.

 

Paul Schachter announced his resignation at the police board meeting on Nov. 15, saying he does not feel like he has the information he needs in order to make decisions on the police board.

“The primary reasons for my decision are that I feel I do not have independent access for needed information to ensure that the public gets an efficient police force,” Schachter said. “And also not having the ability to ensure that important policies are operationalized.”

Though Schachter stressed through his announcement that he does not feel the Victoria Police Department is under-or-over-funded, he says there is a greater need for transparency.

“The VicPD budget increased by 45 per cent between 2002 and 2009 and now represents about 25 per cent of the total budget of the City of Victoria. Again, I’m not saying this is over-funding or under-funding, but it’s not clear whether this increase or how this increase has had an effect on crime reduction or public safety.”

“The second reason is I’m concerned about the board has not been able to effectively address policies that create mistrust within vulnerable communities, such as street checks and the duty of police officers to intervene with each other when they see unlawful conduct,” he said. “I am concerned with how critical policies such as de-escalation and use of cultural competency resources have been operationalized as experienced in recent incidents involving mental health.”
 

More: https://www.cheknews...nation-1114712/

 

[pontcanna]

IIO Reaches Decision in February 2021 Death in Opitsaht (2022-046)

 

INFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release

 

Victim's sister Laura Manson (CHEK)

 

Surrey, B.C. – The Chief Civilian Director (CCD) of the Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC has concluded investigation 2021-046 into an officer-involved shooting death in the community of Opitsaht on Meares Island.

 

At about 9:30 p.m. on February 27, 2021, Tofino RCMP officers responded to a report of a woman being held against her will at a residence in Opitsaht. The incident resulted in one man being shot and killed by officers, and another man was taken into custody.

 

“As a matter related to the incident is currently before the courts, the IIO is unable to provide further details regarding the incident or rationale for this decision at this time. I regret that the frustration this lack of information will cause is required to ensure a fair trial. However, I feel it necessary to advise the public, and in particular the family of the deceased and other involved parties, that this investigation has concluded in as timely a manner as possible,” said Chief Civilian Director Ronald J. MacDonald, KC. “Once the court process concludes, I and my investigative team will ensure we are available to meet with the affected person’s family and community members to review the investigation and to answer questions.”

 

The Chief Civilian Director has reviewed the final report of the Indigenous Civilian Monitor and all available evidence – including information from witnesses and forensic scene analysis – and determined that there are no reasonable grounds to believe that any officer committed an offence. Accordingly, the matter will not be referred to Crown Counsel for consideration of charges. The IIO investigation is now concluded.

 

The IIO’s public report and the final report of the Indigenous Civilian Monitor will be published on the IIO website when the court process has concluded.

[todd]

“Driver handed 90-day prohibition thanks officer for keeping road safe, requests hug”: https://www.timescol...sts-hug-6118414

[todd]

One time some family members rented a cottage. One of the kids playing in the lake punched his cousin, parents told the other parents, mother came out and as punishment gave a big hug(into reading new age child raising techniques). anyway the two fathers got a big fight(not physical) over it and they don’t talk anymore

Edited by todd, 17 November 2022 - 02:52 PM.

[Mike K.]

Who got the hug?

[todd]

I have never once been hugged by a police officer.

[pontcanna]

Former VicPD reservist convicted of sexual offence involving youth

https://beta.ctvnews...086951.amp.html

Funny, police never even told us this person had been arrested. Or a call for further possible victims. I wonder why?

They were quick to publicize the arrest of a driving instructor. But not one of their own.

Looks like he might work for the provincial government too:

https://www.datanyze...ater/1836064919

 

Latest is that Plater is next due in court Nov. 29, presumably for sentencing.

[LJ]

I have never once been hugged by a police officer.

You haven't lived then.

[pontcanna]

Police officers train to prevent serious harm

Times Colonist 22 Nov 2022

Re: “Nuu-chah-nulth ‘devastated’ after officers cleared in fatal shooting near Tofino,” Nov. 18.

I was a police officer for 32 years. Police officers do not go to work wanting to kill someone. They use lethal force to prevent serious harm or death to a person or themselves.

In both cases, the police officer was confronted by a person with a weapon, who displayed intent to harm or kill them. If they had stopped their action and responded to police commands, they would not have died.

When a police officer decides to use lethal force, they have decided to kill the aggressor. Think about the stress they feel when making that decision.

Judith Sayers, president of the Nuuchah-nulth Tribal Council, continues to suggest police be trained to wound before they decide to kill.

A vast majority of citizens have enough common sense to see how unreasonable this comment is. Thankfully the police are here and I always hope they can save lives, including their own, when duty calls.

 

Douglas Oakley, Victoria

 

More: https://digitaltimes...281642489174402

 

[Sparky]

I went to school with Doug at Claremont. Very nice guy. He started a drag racing program when he was a cop at Saanich. He connected well with teen car guys.

 

This is a poor quality picture of the dragster/patrol car.

 

[Victoria Watcher]

Police officers train to prevent serious harm

Times Colonist 22 Nov 2022

Re: “Nuu-chah-nulth ‘devastated’ after officers cleared in fatal shooting near Tofino,” Nov. 18.

I was a police officer for 32 years. Police officers do not go to work wanting to kill someone. They use lethal force to prevent serious harm or death to a person or themselves.

In both cases, the police officer was confronted by a person with a weapon, who displayed intent to harm or kill them. If they had stopped their action and responded to police commands, they would not have died.

When a police officer decides to use lethal force, they have decided to kill the aggressor. Think about the stress they feel when making that decision.

Judith Sayers, president of the Nuuchah-nulth Tribal Council, continues to suggest police be trained to wound before they decide to kill.

A vast majority of citizens have enough common sense to see how unreasonable this comment is. Thankfully the police are here and I always hope they can save lives, including their own, when duty calls.

Douglas Oakley, Victoria

More: https://digitaltimes...281642489174402

I need to read up on the details here.

But in general I think there might be means for de-escalation sometimes in the “person with knife vs. cop with gun” encounters.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 22 November 2022 - 07:03 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Looks like information is still limited.



"As a matter related to the incident is currently before the courts, the IIO is unable to provide further details regarding the incident or rationale for this decision at this time," said IIO chief civilian director Ronald J. MacDonald in a release Wednesday.

"I regret that the frustration this lack of information will cause is required to ensure a fair trial," he said.


https://beta.ctvnews...159476.amp.html

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 22 November 2022 - 07:06 AM.

[pontcanna]

VicPD cop reprimanded for failing woman reporting intimate partner violence: OPCC

Oak Bay ordered investigation into officer who napped, drank and was abusive

Nov. 22, 2022 
 

This past year the OPCC opened 17 Central Saanich files, up from nine, with 92 in Saanich (up from 77) and 181 in Victoria/Esquimalt (up from 153). Oak Bay dipped only slightly with 11 files this year, down one.

None of the files were substantiated in Central Saanich.

Victoria Police Department

An officer with the Victoria Police Department was found in neglect of duty and discourtesy and abuse of authority in an August 2019 incident by conducting an inadequate investigation into a report of intimate partner violence.

The complainant also reported the member treated her in a degrading, demeaning, and discourteous manner.

After investigation, the authority did not find the member committed misconduct but the commissioner disagreed, believing the member did not adequately assess the risk. The commissioner appointed retired provincial court judge Brian Neal to review the matter.

Neal found the member appeared to have committed three allegations of misconduct and that they failed to complete a “thorough evidence-based, risk-focused investigation.”

Neil also determined the member may have demonstrated discourteous behaviour towards the complainant and treated the person in an oppressive manner by using profane or insulting language that “tended to demean or disrespect the complainant based on her sex.”

The officer earned a written reprimand, two two-day suspensions without pay, and training, specifically to attend and complete the Facilitated Trauma Informed Practices Foundations course offered by the Justice Institute of B.C.

Saanich Police Department

Saanich had four substantiated allegations. A member faced written reprimand for neglect of duty for displaying negative behaviours towards others, including speaking ill behind people’s backs, ignoring colleagues, unduly criticizing others for errors, and making sarcastic comments in a 2018 incident.

In a second substantiated file, dated December 2019, during an off-duty social gathering, the member inappropriately touched a female work colleague. Discipline for the discreditable conduct included 10 days without pay and mandatory training regarding sexual assault, sexual harassment and workplace harassment.

In the third, an officer earned a written reprimand for losing their badge and not reporting it immediately.

The investigation found the Saanich Police Department member told their watch commander in November 2020 that the department-issued wallet containing their badge and police identification was missing. The investigation determined the member discovered it missing in late August or early September.

The fourth substantiated allegation was an investigation requested by the Saanich Police Department after a member met with an unknown civilian while working surveillance. According to the Saanich Police Department, a civilian reported she met the member through a dating application and talked on the phone and met with the officer while they were on duty conducting surveillance.

Oak Bay Police Department

Oak Bay Police Department’s lone substantiated file included five allegations against one member. Ordered by the OBPD, it included allegations of alcohol abuse on and off-duty, abusive and intimidating behaviour to the partner and family members, erratic behaviour, an incident of physical violence, and the inappropriate use of a conducted energy weapon (CEW). The Police Act investigation was suspended pending the outcome of a criminal investigation regarding the incident of physical violence. No criminal charge was filed and the investigation resumed.

The discipline authority noted that "deploying a CEW as a party trick on two separate occasions, repeatedly napping on duty without informing their shift mates, disabling the GPS on a police vehicle to conceal their whereabouts at home, remaining at home for inappropriately long periods of time and displaying an inattentive attitude while on duty, establish a pattern of behaviour inconsistent with the expectations that the public and fellow officers place on a higher ranking member.”

The officer was reduced from sergeant to first class constable, prohibited from competing for a promotion for a year and requires approval from the chief constable to compete for promotion.

 

More: https://www.vicnews....-violence-opcc/

 

[Victoria Watcher]

In most normal jobs the Oak Bay guy would be fired.

[pontcanna]

Man’s accidental crossbow death in Saanich standoff not the fault of police: IIO

The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. has found Saanich Police officers were not at fault when a man accidentally shot himself with a crossbow as they were assisting with serving an eviction.

On Feb. 21 around 5 p.m., two officers were called to “keep the peace” as an eviction notice was served by a landlord.

After the notice was served, the man went back into the house, then came back out with what appeared to be an “assault style rifle.” Officers later learned this was an air gun.

Because they believed it was a real gun, the first officer found cover behind a tree and pulled out his firearm. The second officer shouted commands to drop the weapon.

The man did not drop the weapon then returned to the house.

The Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team and Crisis Team were called to assist.

At 5:55 p.m., the man re-emerged from the house, shot the air gun at the police car, then barricaded himself in the house again. He then opened a window to fire at the police car once more.

At 6:40 GVERT took control of the scene and spent hours negotiating with the man to leave the house with his hands up.

Officers fired five “less lethal” projectile rounds at the man, which appeared to have no effect on him.

At 11:20 p.m., officers used tear gas on the man.

“Approximately ten minutes later, AP called 911 and reported that he had accidentally shot himself with a crossbow because officers had ‘pepper sprayed’ him,” the report says.

The man came to the front door, and collapsed. Officers took some steps to ensure he was actually having a medical emergency then entered and he was found to be non-responsive.

“Based on his previous behavior, and the presence of weapons, it was reasonable for police to be concerned that AP may have still been a threat to officers even after his 911 call that he shot himself,” the report says. “Officers proceeded cautiously and AP was provided with medical assistance as soon as it was safe to do so.”

 

Full report: https://iiobc.ca/app...th-2022-030.pdf

 

More: https://www.cheknews...ossbow-1116367/

 

 

 

[Spy Black]

No way to know if the crossbow incident was indeed an accident, or an intentional undertaking on the part of "AP", especially considering his bizarre behaviour with officers previous to the "accident".

[Victoria Watcher]

That’s the kind of action you might get if you are a landlord.

[LJ]

I'm trying to figure out how you accidentally shoot yourself with a crossbow. 

[Spy Black]

I guess if you put a loaded crossbow on a table, inadvertently pointed exactly where you just happened to be standing, and a bolt released when one of the police flash-bangs landed on it ... it would indeed kill you?