Closing the gap : policing and the community. Policing in British Columbia Commission of Inquiry. --

Commissioner: Wallace T. Oppal.

BC Royal Commission document scanned by LLBC.

The creation of this police inquiry was prompted by public concern over three separate police shootings of suspects while conducting search warrants. The public was concerned about the use of force by police, the issue of police investigating themselves when there was a complaint about police conduct, and police actions when exercising a search warrant. The Commissioner's terms of reference were to report on the roles of the Attorney General, British Columbia Police Commission and police boards, as well as the use of force, police training, reporting and accountability. Judge Oppal was also asked to look at the broader aspects of policing. This included the selection and training of municipal police officers, regionalization and coordination of police services, community-based policing, aboriginal policing, private security and review of the Police Act and Regulations. Oppal's comprehensive report contained 317 recommendations, including 89 legislative proposals and 19 proposed new administrative structures. Some recommendations were: allow police to carry semi-automatic handguns; appoint an independent ombudsman to oversee how complaints against police are investigated; dissolve the British Columbia Police Commission; and create a new law enforcement branch to oversee police activities.