‘Disgusting, appalling’: Claims of serious misconduct at B.C. police training under review

The conduct of several police officers who attended a recent training course in B.C. is now under review over allegations of misconduct.

Several agencies participated in the recent BC Municipal Undercover Training Course, including officers from the Surrey Police Service, the Vancouver Police Department, Abbotsford Police Department, and Metro Vancouver Transit Police.

Sources say officers with the New Westminster Police Department were also in attendance.

The Officer in Charge of the Integrated Professional Standards Unit, which looks into the actions of officers from multiple agencies, was reviewing the claims of alleged misconduct, according to Metro Vancouver Transit Police Const. Amanda Steed.

“As a result of that review, a request has been drafted and submitted to the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner (OPCC) requesting an order for investigation,” Steed told CityNews in a statement Tuesday.

Vancouver Police Const. Tania Visintin says that force has requested an investigation to the OPCC and could not provide more details into the number of officers involved, nor if they are still on active duty as of Tuesday. The Surrey Police Service also could not provide details into the number of officers involved.

The OPCC has confirmed information has been brought to its attention concerning officers at the course which was held in Vancouver earlier this month, although did not confirm the behaviours of the officers involved that are under scrutiny.

Calling the allegations of misconduct “serious,” OPCC Oversight Operations Director Cameron J.R. Loveless said in a statement to CityNews they involve “municipal police officers from multiple BC municipal police departments and is alleged to have occurred within the course activities.”

Loveless says it is unusual to disclose information regarding ongoing investigations but in this case the Commissioner has determined that it is in the public interest to do so.

“The information was reported to us by the municipal Chiefs of Police who have last week provided a formal request that an investigation under the Police Act be initiated,” Loveless added.

“In light of the number of BC municipal police agencies involved, the Commissioner has written the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General to seek assistance in identifying an investigative body appropriately independent of any BC agencies.”

In a statement, B.C.’s Public Safety Ministry says it has been made aware of the allegations.

“These alleged actions, if proven, are disgusting, appalling and totally unacceptable,” the statement reads in part. It goes on to confirm the OPCC has contacted the ministry.

“As Minister, my expectation is that a thorough investigation will take place expeditiously,” reads the public safety ministry’s statement.

RCMP Director in Charge Dawn Roberts says no RCMP candidates took the course, as training for undercover Mounties is done through the RCMP.

“I can confirm that there is no RCMP internal or outside agency investigation dealing with any allegations against a RCMP employee or employees related to the BC Municipal Undercover course or the concerns being reported on,” Roberts said.

However, the RCMP sometimes provides guest lecturers to assist other agencies in training.

“We were scheduled to assist on the course being reported on, but I can’t provide any other details or specifics out of respect for the privacy of those involved and the processes underway,” Roberts said.