The Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner is investigating 19 police officers, including some from Victoria and Saanich Police, for conduct at an undercover officer training course.
On May 2, officers from the Victoria Police Department, Saanich Police Department, Abbotsford Police Department, Vancouver Police Department, New Westminster Police Department, Delta Police Department, Surrey Police Service, and Metro Vancouver Transit Police attended a training program for undercover officers.
RCMP officers present for the training in an observer role reported a number of concerns to the OPCC.
Due to the number of police agencies involved in the complaints, the OPCC is bringing in the Independent Investigations Unit of Manitoba to conduct the investigation.
“The actions of some municipal police officers while performing various physical acts and activities in some of the scenarios, caused concern that their actions could be defined as potential misconduct under the Police Act,” the OPCC said in a release.
“The nature of the allegations includes serious and concerning conduct performed in front of course supervisors and other course participants.”
Municipal police officers who were candidates for the training, as well as those in supervisory positions will be investigated.
OPCC told CHEK News it could not reveal how many officers from each department are under investigation.
Const. Cam MacIntyre, spokesperson for Victoria Police said he cannot provide further details.
“We are aware of allegations that have been brought forward regarding a recent BC Municipal Undercover training course,” MacIntyre said in an email.
“The Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner is aware and has initiated an investigation. VicPD officers were present for this training course. Out of respect for the investigation, we will not be able to comment on any VicPD involvement in the OPCC’s investigation.”
Const. Markus Anastasiades, spokesperson for Saanich Police said he cannot confirm how many Saanich Police officers are under investigation.
“We are aware of allegations that have been brought forward regarding a recent BC Municipal Undercover training course,” Anastasiades said in an email.
“As this matter is being investigated by the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner, we are not able to speak to any of the allegations.”
CHEK News
