There are new changes to the Police Act, aimed at improving oversight of policing as part of the Province’s work to make systemic improvements to the policing and public safety landscape in British Columbia.

“We count on our police to respond in difficult situations to keep us safe and there are ongoing conversations on how to change policing to keep pace with a changing world, particularly for many Black, Indigenous and other people of minority communities who have had negative experiences with the police,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General.

“By focusing on changes to municipal policing, we are setting the foundation for a modern policing system that is fair, equitable and responsive to all communities.”

Changes will allow local governments to determine who their representative will be on their police board and will allow members of the police board to elect their chair and vice-chair.

Currently, the mayor is automatically the local government representative and the chair of the police board.

The legislation will also strengthen oversight of municipal police with several changes, including allowing the police complaint commissioner to call a public hearing earlier in misconduct investigations, and providing the police complaint commissioner authority to conduct systemic reviews and investigations into the causes and contributors of police complaints.

To see the full release, visit Government of British Columbia.