Watchdog chastises RCMP for poor reporting in missing-persons cases
OTTAWA — An independent watchdog has uncovered shoddy reporting by RCMP officers in northern British Columbia that makes it impossible to tell whether many missing-persons cases were properly investigated.
The Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP also found serious record-keeping gaps, policy weaknesses or compliance issues related to police investigations of public intoxication, personal searches and use of force.
The commission’s consultations in almost two dozen communities in the region — where Aboriginal Peoples account for 17.5 per cent of the population — showed that many believe “the RCMP is biased against indigenous people.” However, the watchdog was “unable to substantiate” the assertion through its policy and file review.
Overall, the commission found no basis to conclude there were “broad, systemic problems” with RCMP actions in northern B.C.