Increased accountability, transparency and independent oversight of policing in British Columbia will come into effect officially on Sept. 10, 2012, when the Independent Investigations Office (IIO) becomes fully operational.

To further prepare, IIO investigators are training at the Justice Institute of British Columbia and the Canadian Police College throughout the summer, and the IIO is in the process of finalizing its policies and procedures to ensure investigators will be ready to respond to incidents that fall under its mandate.

The IIO will have the authority to investigate incidents of death or serious harm involving a police officer in B.C. Under new legislation, police are compelled to report all such incidents immediately to the IIO.

The creation of the IIO as an independent, civilian-led office fulfils government's commitment to implement the recommendations outlined by the Braidwood and Davies commissions and will help to further build public confidence in policing in B.C.

Quotes:

Minister of Justice and Attorney General Shirley Bond -

"Police agencies in B.C. have recognized and supported the need for increased transparency and accountability. The creation and soon-to-be activation of the IIO will mark a new era that ensures incidents involving police officers that result in death or serious harm are investigated in an impartial way, strengthening the public's faith in the dedicated officers who work to keep them safe."

Chief civilian director of the IIO Richard Rosenthal -

"The goal of the IIO is to conduct fair, competent, bias-free investigations in a timely fashion and publicly report on the results of our investigations. Over the past several months, we have been working to hire and train investigative teams that will be ready to respond with a level of competence once the office is operational this fall."

Quick Facts:

• The IIO was established under amendments to B.C.'s Police Act. Many sections of the legislation came into force in July 2011, and the remaining sections will come into force when the office is ready to begin operations on Sept. 10, 2012.
• Richard Rosenthal's appointment as chief civilian director of the IIO was announced on Dec. 7, 2011.
• To date, 26 investigators have been hired. When fully staffed, the IIO will employ 60 staff, including investigators, management staff and administrative staff.
• To ensure impartiality, all investigators hired by the IIO must not have served as police officers in B.C. within the past five years.

Learn More:

Information about the Independent Investigations Office: http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/policeservices/iio/index.htm

Contact:

Caeli Hann
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Justice
250 580-4730