B.C. Police Act changes proposed [Video]

The British Columbia government is bringing in changes to its Police Act to improve governance and oversight of municipal police departments in the province.

The legislation, if passed, would expand the jurisdictions of B.C.’s two police watchdogs, the Independent Investigations Office and the Office of the Police Complaint Commission.

The complaints commission would be able to start its own investigations looking into systemic problems it might see, and the new mandate would allow it to conduct its own investigations into police actions sooner.

The commission says in a news release that if the legislation passes, the changes will be an important step in improving oversight in the province.

Under the changes, serious actions of jail guards would fall under the jurisdiction of the Independent Investigations Office, which its director Ronald MacDonald says would enhance the appearance of such investigations.

Local governments would also be allowed to decide who their representative …