Police officers in BC fall under many layers of oversight, including independent civilian oversight – and more oversight than almost any other profession, including doctors, lawyers, teachers, and reporters. In addition, oversight is provided by the media, organizations like the BC Civil Liberties Association – and today, anyone with a cell phone.

The Vancouver Police Department welcomes this oversight and believes that it is appropriate and necessary given the policing power that we are granted as peace officers.

The VPD has over 1,000,000 points of contact with the public every year, including approximately 270,000 calls for service. That works out to over 700 calls per day, and only a small percentage of these interactions result in a complaint.

Oversight Agencies

Governance & Accountability

Vancouver Police Board

The Vancouver Police Board is the employer and governing body of the Vancouver Police Department. The Board provides civilian governance and oversight of policing.

Under British Columbia’s Police Act, the Board consists of:

  • the Mayor as Chair
  • one person appointed by the municipal council
  • and up to seven people appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council

Board members are chosen to reflect the demographics of the community. Each member is appointed for a term of up to four years. They may be re-appointed, but cannot serve for more than six consecutive years.

Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner (OPCC)

The Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner (OPCC) is an independent civilian oversight agency, with staff from a wide range of backgrounds. They assist citizens with their concerns about the actions of municipal police officers or police departments in BC.

The investigations are completed by police, often from different departments, but the OPCC adds a layer of accountability and transparency to the complaint process, and ensures the investigations are thorough and fair.

Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO)

The Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) is a civilian-led oversight agency that investigations incidents of death or serious harm that may have been as a result of a police officer’s actions. They have jurisdiction for all of BC’s policing agencies, and their authority comes from the Police Act. Police agencies are required to notify the IIO of any incidents that fall under their mandate.

There does not need to be an allegation of wrongdoing for the IIO to investigate. In cases where charges are not in the public interest, a public report outlines all relevant acts and reasons for the decision.