CCLA CALLS FOR INDEPENDENT AGENCY TO INVESTIGATE CRIMINAL ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THE RCMP

In a recent communiqué to the RCMP Complaints Commission, CCLA called for the creation of an independent agency to investigate RCMP conduct that results in death or serious injury. Currently, such incidents are investigated by the RCMP itself, raising the perception of investigative bias. Events, such as the recent RCMP shooting death of Ian Bush in British Columbia, have brought increased media attention to this issue, resulting in a formal request to CCLA for its comments.

CCLA’s 10 recommendations touched upon a wide range of issues, including the appropriate powers for a new independent agency and the obligations of officers being investigated.

Apart from Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit, no such system exists in any other Canadian jurisdiction.The Commissioner has not yet responded.