National

Discrimination probe launched into police use of force in B.C.

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 30 Jan, 2024 10:41 AM

British Columbia's human rights commissioner has launched an inquiry into police use of force against people who are racialized or dealing with mental health issues.

Kasari Govender says in a statement the inquiry comes as a result of a 2021 study by the commissioner's office showing a "disturbing pattern of discrimination in policing in the province."

Govender says while no comprehensive data exists on the severity of the problem, available information suggests police use force "more frequently and with greater severity" against these two groups.

The inquiry is aimed at "quantifying" police use of force in these instances, and Govender says it aims to make recommendations to address "systemic discrimination."

The commissioner's November 2021 report analyzing data from five B.C. police jurisdictions found Indigenous, black and West-Asian people were all overrepresented in arrests and chargeable incidents.

The report also found that police interact more frequently with people dealing with mental health issues, which in turn has a "greater impact" on racialized individuals.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Canada's defence minister says Hamas a threat to world, must be 'eliminated'

Defence Minister Bill Blair says Hamas is a terrorist organization that is a threat to the whole world and must be "eliminated." Blair also says he has no expectation that Hamas would respect international law, including any agreement on a ceasefire.

Canada's defence minister says Hamas a threat to world, must be 'eliminated'

Grocers called back to Parliament to testify about plans to stabilize prices

A House of Commons committee is asking the heads of Canada's major grocery chains to appear before MPs and explain their plans to stabilize food prices. The agriculture committee passed an NDP motion on Thursday to invite the grocery executives, or summon them if necessary, to testify about the measures their companies are taking to address food inflation.

Grocers called back to Parliament to testify about plans to stabilize prices

Over 1600 weekend incidents: VPD

Vancouver police say officers responded to more than one-thousand-600 incidents over the weekend, fuelled in part by multiple demonstrations across the city. Sergeant Steve Addison says recent geopolitical events have driven the protests, and police will continue to deploy extra officers to manage the situations as they arise.

Over 1600 weekend incidents: VPD

Pedestrian death in Kelowna

Mounties are investigating the death of a pedestrian who was struck by a vehicle in Kelowna's Rutland neighbourhood over the weekend. Police say they believe the death on Saturday afternoon is related to an earlier event where officers responded to a complaint of a group of teens using bear spray on people.

Pedestrian death in Kelowna

B.C. Premier Eby says Surrey must talk with province about police transition costs

B.C. Premier David Eby says it's time for the City of Surrey and the province to talk about the extra money the city says it needs to replace the RCMP with a local police force. Eby says the provincial government's $150-million contribution to cover transition costs remains on the table, but there will be no more.

B.C. Premier Eby says Surrey must talk with province about police transition costs

Body found in Langley explosion

A body has been found by firefighters at the scene of an explosion in Langley and the province's Integrated Homicide Investigation Team is now investigating. Mounties and firefighters responded to an explosion at a house in rural Langley on Sunday afternoon.