Victoria, B.C. - The Representative for Children and Youth in B.C. , Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond is launching a broader report that  will  examine concerns about some group homes repeatedly using police to help them manage or discipline children with complex needs and behaviours, says B.C.’s Representative for Children and Youth.

 

The decision to conduct the Special Report arose from her initial review of an incident involving the Tasering of an 11-year-old boy in Prince George.

 

“In reviewing this particular incident, I became concerned about a wider issue of police being called by group home staff to attend and act as a disciplinarian of sorts,” said Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond. “The incidents are numerous, and aren’t related to criminal activity by the child or youth. Instead, police would attend when staff wanted help with behaviour concerns, like children not wanting to come into the house, go to their bedrooms or be put in a ‘quiet room’ in a group home.

 

“When dealing with particularly vulnerable children in the care of government, serious issues arise if staff are not properly trained to deal with challenging behaviours and instead are using police to bring kids into line when criminal activity isn’t involved,” she said. “I’m aware this may be an issue not only in the Northern Region but possibly in other areas of B.C. as well, and this demands a thorough examination.”

 

As well, other aspects of specialized group home placements and whether the resources and supports provided are appropriate to the age, the developmental stage and the needs of the child will be examined.

 

Under the Representative for Children and Youth Act, the Representative can make a Special Report to the Legislative Assembly when she becomes aware of circumstances that raise systemic concerns. A Special Report may contain recommendations to government or any other public body.

 

Regarding a decision about an investigation into the taseriing of the 11-year-old in Prince George, legislation allows the Representative’s investigation to proceed only when police investigations and criminal justice matters are finished.  She says  she  is watching very carefully the investigations underway by the West Vancouver Police Department and  the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP.  When those investigations  are complete, she will make a decision about whether or not she will move  forward with an investigation into the specifics of government services and supports provided to the eleven  year old boy.