In media interviews after the release of the report, Wally Oppal stated that although his recommendations arose from the Downtown East Side-Robert Pickton case, his recommendations for a regional force for Greater Vancouver are also applicable to Greater Victoria. The report formed the basis of the ongoing police services review by the Ministry of Justice, which may lead to an order by the Province to implement regional policing in both Greater Vancouver and Greater Victoria.
Despite these recommendations, Capital's region police to be disbanded as Saanich pulls funding.
Excerpts from Forsaken The Report of the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry Executive Summary, The Honourable Wally T. Oppal, QC Commissioner:
PART 9 – COMMITTING TO A REGIONAL POLICE FORCE IN GREATER VANCOUVER, page 151
One of this Commission’s stark conclusions is that the fragmentation of policing in the Lower Mainland materially contributed to the failures of the missing women investigations. The Greater Vancouver Area is the only major center in Canada without a regional police force. It is clear from the evidence that a regional police force stood a good chance of apprehending Robert Pickton much earlier. Greater regionalization of policing in the Lower Mainland has been under discussion for decades. As Retired VPD Insp. Dan Dureau said during the hearings: “My first day in a police car I was told we were going regional any month now and that was 1975.”
Without doubt, one of the critical police failures in the missing women investigations was the failure to address cross-jurisdictional issues and the ineffective co-ordination between police forces and agencies. At different points in time there were problems with sharing file information between the agencies with the result that investigators did not have access to all the intelligence that had been gathered about Pickton’s activities. Joint meetings did not provide the same level of effective collaboration as a properly coordinated multi-jurisdictional investigation would have. It took years before a Joint Forces Operation, Project Evenhanded, was established to further the investigation.
In my 1994 report on policing in BC, I asked: “Can the regionalization debate be resolved?” Today, my clear message is that we must move beyond the debate to practical planning. I do not recommend yet another study on the feasibility of regional policing. A decisive step must be taken to break this impasse. I recommend that the Provincial Government commit to establishing a Greater Vancouver police force through a consultative process with all stakeholders. I note that this proposal is consistent with the International Association of Chiefs of Police model policy that states that detailed consultations toward the integration of police forces should be based on a consensus that change is needed.
I provide an overview of the options and issues involved in establishing a Greater Vancouver police force. This discussion of regionalization is not exhaustive. The pros and cons of regionalization have been well canvassed in the past and in several reports prepared for the Commission. It is clear that the integration of some policing functions is an insufficient response. The main reasons in support of a Greater Vancouver police force are:
These issues and challenges can be resolved through a strategic approach based on a commitment to a regional, accountable police force that maintains adequate links to communities within the region. Resources have to be devoted to this change process, or it won’t happen. Provincial leadership is key.
The consultation process should be based on the Provincial Government’s commitment to move forward, the process had to be well-designed and integrate stakeholders, from the community perspective, the municipal leadership perspective, and police institutions.
Information and analysis are required to support this design consultation process to develop the optimal model for the Greater Vancouver regional police force. This information gathering process could include:
Independent third parties are required to facilitate this process to ensure that all stakeholders should be involved in this discussion and all affected communities should have a voice in any new structure that is proposed. I recommend that the Provincial Government establish an independent expert committee to develop a proposed model and implementation plan for a Greater Vancouver police force.
I recognize that there are outstanding questions as to the best model to employ and how to efficiently manage the transition. I underscore that the barriers to a regional police force for Greater Vancouver are political; they have nothing to do with better policing. This is not a new debate and the divisions are clearly drawn between advocates and detractors of a regional police force. The challenge is to find a balance between local control and input while getting the benefits of regional policing.
In light of the clear findings of this Inquiry, this situation of a stalemate cannot be allowed to continue to prevail. It is time for the Province of British Columbia to commit to the creation of a unified police force and to set up an independent evaluation and consultation process to develop the best model and implementation plan for a Greater Vancouver police force. As Dr. Rossmo stated, history tells us there will be another serial killer, and in those circumstances there must be a strong effective response. Let’s not wait for the next Robert Pickton to strike.
Regional Police Force
I make the following recommendations respecting a regional police force:
9.1 That Provincial Government commit to establishing a Greater Vancouver police force through a consultative process with all stakeholders.
9.2 That Provincial Government establish an independent expert committee to develop a proposed model and implementation plan for a Greater Vancouver police force.
Despite these recommendations, Capital's region police to be disbanded as Saanich pulls funding.
Excerpts from Forsaken The Report of the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry Executive Summary, The Honourable Wally T. Oppal, QC Commissioner:
PART 9 – COMMITTING TO A REGIONAL POLICE FORCE IN GREATER VANCOUVER, page 151
One of this Commission’s stark conclusions is that the fragmentation of policing in the Lower Mainland materially contributed to the failures of the missing women investigations. The Greater Vancouver Area is the only major center in Canada without a regional police force. It is clear from the evidence that a regional police force stood a good chance of apprehending Robert Pickton much earlier. Greater regionalization of policing in the Lower Mainland has been under discussion for decades. As Retired VPD Insp. Dan Dureau said during the hearings: “My first day in a police car I was told we were going regional any month now and that was 1975.”
Without doubt, one of the critical police failures in the missing women investigations was the failure to address cross-jurisdictional issues and the ineffective co-ordination between police forces and agencies. At different points in time there were problems with sharing file information between the agencies with the result that investigators did not have access to all the intelligence that had been gathered about Pickton’s activities. Joint meetings did not provide the same level of effective collaboration as a properly coordinated multi-jurisdictional investigation would have. It took years before a Joint Forces Operation, Project Evenhanded, was established to further the investigation.
In my 1994 report on policing in BC, I asked: “Can the regionalization debate be resolved?” Today, my clear message is that we must move beyond the debate to practical planning. I do not recommend yet another study on the feasibility of regional policing. A decisive step must be taken to break this impasse. I recommend that the Provincial Government commit to establishing a Greater Vancouver police force through a consultative process with all stakeholders. I note that this proposal is consistent with the International Association of Chiefs of Police model policy that states that detailed consultations toward the integration of police forces should be based on a consensus that change is needed.
I provide an overview of the options and issues involved in establishing a Greater Vancouver police force. This discussion of regionalization is not exhaustive. The pros and cons of regionalization have been well canvassed in the past and in several reports prepared for the Commission. It is clear that the integration of some policing functions is an insufficient response. The main reasons in support of a Greater Vancouver police force are:
- Co-operative enforcement and improved effectiveness in providing safety and security;
- Improved communication, access to information and accountability;
- Improved capacity to deliver specialized services;
- Financial benefits;
- Enhanced professional and career development;
- Community relations and law enforcement equity.
These issues and challenges can be resolved through a strategic approach based on a commitment to a regional, accountable police force that maintains adequate links to communities within the region. Resources have to be devoted to this change process, or it won’t happen. Provincial leadership is key.
The consultation process should be based on the Provincial Government’s commitment to move forward, the process had to be well-designed and integrate stakeholders, from the community perspective, the municipal leadership perspective, and police institutions.
Information and analysis are required to support this design consultation process to develop the optimal model for the Greater Vancouver regional police force. This information gathering process could include:
- A current analysis of what is working well now and what is not;
- A review of both successes and failures;
- An economic analysis of the costs of the current system, including the costs to public safety, and any proposed models;
- Data gathered within an analytical framework to ensure insightful questions are asked, and the appropriate data is gathered and
understood properly; - An apolitical process through which to hear community views; and
- Independent performance and financial audits.
Independent third parties are required to facilitate this process to ensure that all stakeholders should be involved in this discussion and all affected communities should have a voice in any new structure that is proposed. I recommend that the Provincial Government establish an independent expert committee to develop a proposed model and implementation plan for a Greater Vancouver police force.
I recognize that there are outstanding questions as to the best model to employ and how to efficiently manage the transition. I underscore that the barriers to a regional police force for Greater Vancouver are political; they have nothing to do with better policing. This is not a new debate and the divisions are clearly drawn between advocates and detractors of a regional police force. The challenge is to find a balance between local control and input while getting the benefits of regional policing.
In light of the clear findings of this Inquiry, this situation of a stalemate cannot be allowed to continue to prevail. It is time for the Province of British Columbia to commit to the creation of a unified police force and to set up an independent evaluation and consultation process to develop the best model and implementation plan for a Greater Vancouver police force. As Dr. Rossmo stated, history tells us there will be another serial killer, and in those circumstances there must be a strong effective response. Let’s not wait for the next Robert Pickton to strike.
Regional Police Force
I make the following recommendations respecting a regional police force:
9.1 That Provincial Government commit to establishing a Greater Vancouver police force through a consultative process with all stakeholders.
9.2 That Provincial Government establish an independent expert committee to develop a proposed model and implementation plan for a Greater Vancouver police force.