Black community advisory group withdraws partnership with Vancouver police

The African Descent Advisory Committee is cutting ties with the Vancouver Police Department, due to what they are calling a lack of respect during decision-making processes.

Sadie Kuehn, former co-chair of the committee, says police leadership has been disrespectful and dismissive of its members.

“The relationship has been somewhat challenging,” Kuehn said.

“If there isn’t a willingness to work with us, then why should we be at the table?”

As far as she’s concerned, Kuehn said the separation is more of a loss for the VPD, since there’s all kinds of research it could have undertaken with the group that’s no longer possible.

Kuehn said the police board’s decision to bring back the School Liaison Officer Program before committee members had been invited to speak on the issue was a turning point.

“Based on the studies that they’ve done and all the information that has come back, particular students are negatively impacted by having police in schools,” she said.

Tensions rose when the committee walked out of a board meeting last June, over the reinstatement of the School Liaison Officer Program.

“It is insulting to have people engaged and involved… when you have already made a judgement call,” Kuehn said in the June 2023 board meeting.

On Sunday, CityNews asked the VPD for comment about the committee withdrawing its partnership.

“We have not yet heard directly from the members of the committee about their reasons and we will be reaching out to them about the reasons behind their decisions,” Sgt. Steve Addison said. “They’ve worked with us on a number of issues and we hoped to work with the committee to improved outreach and relations in Vancouver for all.”

But Kuehn said the police have known for some time that committee members were very upset over how they were treated at the June meeting.

The African Descent VPD Advisory committee was formed by the police board in 2021 in response to the murder of George Floyd who was killed by a police officer in the U.S. Floyd’s death sparked rallies across the world as thousands took part in Black Lives Matter protests.

Now, Kuehn said her committee has been left voiceless.

” We had the impression that this was the chance to really make a difference because of the outreach from the force itself,” she said. “They assured us that they were present and they understood the urgency of having conversations without community.”

Kuehn added the committee would reconsider rejoining if they hear from VPD leadership that their concerns are being addressed.