LANGLEY (NEWS1130) – BC families whose loved ones have been victims of police violence are being invited to join a new victim’s group.

It’s being partially headed up by a man who has been very vocal about police conduct since his son was shot dead by an RCMP officer two years ago.

Al Wright says families touched by police-related tragedies feel abandoned.

“The families have always been left alone. It got to the point where we said ‘We have to be on the same page. We have to form some sort of group to support the next victims.’”

What kind of support has yet to be worked out.  But he says by banding together, victims’ families can collectively make sure the police are accountable for their actions.

“Also, we want to keep an eye on this new Independent Investigations Office. We want to keep an eye on how they’re doing things. We want to make sure the police know there are eyes on them,” he explains.

The first meeting next month will be by invite only. Wright says he foresees subsequent meetings behind held in different parts of the province.    

The BC Civil Liberties Association and Linda Bush, whose son was shot by a Mountie in the Houston detachment in 2007, also have had a hand in forming the group.