VPD wishes IIO could look into cyclist punching incident
Posted March 29, 2013 10:48 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – As an investigation continues into a Vancouver police officer who punched a cyclist, one group that won’t get involved is the province’s independent police watchdog. But the police department wishes it would.
The department hopes the Independent Investigations Office (IIO) will eventually broaden its mandate beyond cases of death or serious harm, to take in all complaints against police. In the past, Chief Jim Chu has argued it would help public confidence.
Richard Rosenthal with the IIO expects there will be a review starting next year.
“The legislation does provide for a special legislative committee to look at our mandate, our operations, and really everything about the program starting next year, with a report due by January 1, 2015,” he explains.
Rosenthal believes the police department’s suggestion will be among the issues under review.
“Of course, I don’t and can’t control the legislative committee, but I would certainly expect one of the topics for discussion would be what the mandate of the IIO should be.”
The police department’s Professional Standards Section is reviewing the conduct of the officer caught on video this week punching the cyclist. Andi Shae Akhavan claims officers used excessive force.
