Search for New IIO Boss Postponed
Prince George, B.C. – It will be a while before British Columbians learn who the new chief civilian director (CCD) for the Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of B.C. will be.
The provincial government has postponed the decision until next spring.
In the meantime, acting CCD Bert Phipps will continue in the role until a replacement is announced.
“This decision will allow him to continue establishing a firm foundation on which the incoming CCD can build upon over the next five-year term,” reads a government news release.
Phipps stepped in after the IIO’s first CCD, Richard Rosenthal, finished up his term last year.
Victoria created the IIO to conduct investigations into incidents of death or serious harm involving on and off duty police officers in B.C. to determine whether an officer may have committed an offence.
The IIO and related decisions are made independent of government.
“Since 2012 the IIO has closed 130 cases. Of these, 70 resulted in public reports and 60 were reports to crown for consideration for charges,” says spokesman Aidan Buckley.”Of these, nine have been approved. The IIO has had a total of 10 cases in Prince George, five of which are still active investigations.”
He adds the number of charges laid “is not a measure of the IIO’s success.
“Instead, completing thorough, independent and competent investigations which continue to build confidence in police accountability is a measure of the IIO’s success.”
Comments
Ha. More like incompetent investigations.
Imorge, 60 sent to crown, 9 approved. Tells us something.
And then there’s Rosenthal. Maybe it was his ego.
Wasn’t the last head of the IIO an american?
I guess no Canadian was capable before but hopefully now there is?
Racer, the terms of reference for hiring the last head of the IIO, and I’m assuming for this one is that the Civilian Director of the IIO must have never served as police officer, nor have been a member in any capacity of the RCMP.
Basically they wanted to insure that the Civilian Director owed no allegiance to the Police Forces he/she is charged to investigate.
I’m sure this was intended to not only avoid any bias, but also to avoid the appearance of any bias.
Taken in this context I’m sure you can see how difficult it would be to find someone in Canada with the requisite qualifications that has no current or past affiliation with a Police Force in Canada.
if I remember right the last civilian director was once a police officer in the states.
Why could not police officers from anywhere cover up for police officers. Not saying they would but they could.
And to clear things up I think the IIO is a good idea and I think you have to have someone in the roll who has some sort of policing background to know the ins and outs. What is and isn’t right. I suppose a lawyer might suffice.
Pretty sure you’re right about the first director being an ex cop from the ststes.
He was a lawyer.
I just did another check and you are right is does say not to have been a police officer and then further down says no IIO Investigator has been a police officer in BC within five years of their appointment. so it makes it a little confusing.
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