VPD officers undergoing specialized training ahead of pot legalization

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – We are less than one month away from recreational pot being legalized in Canada and that means in the weeks ahead, officers across the country will have to tweak the way they operate.

However, according to Vancouver Police, the way they do things won’t change all that much.

VPD Sergeant Jason Robillard says officers, just like now, have to be fit for duty — meaning don’t show up to work high which is the same case with things like alcohol or prescription medication.

Related: One month until recreational pot is legal; are first responders ready for the change?

“It’s common sense, but we are offering some training to all of our officers to sort of understand [what] effects marijuana may have on them and there may be a delayed effect,” he says “We are working off our current policy that we have where our members are required to appear fit for duty, so when we’re looking at that — we’re just adding another layer to a pre-existing policy that we have for our officers in our workplace.”

Police say officers will:

• Receive online training through CPKN on the Federal legislation. This training on will be the same for officers across Canada.
• Have their own HR policy. The VPD will be grouping the use of cannabis with alcohol/prescription drugs.
• Receive training around the VPD’s Impairment at the workplace policy will contain information on the latest research on the use of cannabis. We want to provide our officers with the latest information so they can make an informed decision when it comes to cannabis use and being fit for duty.

WATCH: The Marijuana Files: how we got here

Robillard isn’t sure how much the four mandatory days of training will cost the department as they review the new pot rules.

Meantime, he adds as of now, officers will use the same roadside tools sobriety tests to check potentially impaired drivers as they wait to hear from the provincial government about any new tools they may be given.

“We might have added things to help us in our investigations, whether it be impaired driving or anything else but we’re not quite sure exactly how it’s going to end up. But we’re going to see what we get and what direction we have here very shortly,” he says.

RELATED: BC to have only one store selling cannabis on first day of legalization

As for issuing tickets for things like edibles and possession of the drug, Robillard doesn’t predict much will change, pointing out it will just be further regulated.

“There are just so many moving parts. We’re prepared for it with our officers and it’ll be business as usual and we’re going to see how it all pans out here.”

The RCMP also tells us its internal HR policies are also being re-written a bit to adjust to the new legislation that goes into effect on Oct. 17.

Rules of B.C.’s pot legalization

• The possession limit for an individual is 30 grams of dried cannabis or its equivalent and buyers must be 19 or older.
• Personal growth of pot plants will be limited to four per household and they may not be visible to the public spaces outside a property.
• Consumption is not permitted on school property; on health board property, except in designated smoking areas; near skating rinks, sports fields, playgrounds, skate parks, spray pools, wading pools or parks.
• Indoor smoking and vaping are not allowed in fully or partially enclosed workplaces, public places or common areas within a residential building.
• A person must not consume cannabis in a vehicle or boat, regardless of whether it’s in motion.
• Smoking or vaping cannabis will not be allowed near bus or train stops, taxi stands or ferry docks.
• Fines range from $2,000 to $100,000, or jail time of three to 12 months, depending on the offence.
• There will be a 90-day driving ban on drivers found under the influence of drugs, and there will be a ban on new drivers in the graduated licensing program found with any THC in their systems.