B.C.'s police complaint commissioner has called a public hearing into the actions of two Victoria Police officers who tied up a drunken 15-year-old girl in a police cell for hours four years ago.

Stan Lowe said Monday he decided it is in the public interest to hold the hearing even though a police investigation conducted by Vancouver Police officers and Victoria Police Chief Jamie Graham found the allegations against the two officers were unsubstantiated.

"The Police Complaint Commissioner, having reviewed the investigation into this matter and all the relevant factors ... has determined that it is in the public interest to arrange a public hearing into the conduct of the respondents," said a three-page statement issued by Lowe, appointed police complaints commissioner earlier this year.

The Victoria Police Department said it will co-operate with any reviews in the Kinloch matter, but said the case has undergone significant past reviews.

Sgt. Grant Hamilton said the Kinloch case has already been the subject of a criminal review, an internal investigation, two independent use of force reviews and a civil trial.

"The (police complaint commissioner's) decision will unfortunately burden the public with significant legal costs in relation to an incident that occurred over four years ago and has already been thoroughly reviewed," said Hamilton in a statement.

Kinloch was arrested for being drunk in public in May 2005 and spent several hours in a padded cell.

Video evidence viewed by jurors at a civil trial showed Kinloch, who weighed about 100 pounds, lashed to the cell door.

She was awarded $60,000 but police and the city appealed, and last March both sides reached an undisclosed out-of-court settlement.

No date has been set for the hearing under the Police Act, which will examine the allegations of abuse of authority and neglect of duty.

Lowe's statement said the two Victoria officers, constables Ryan O'Neill and Brian Asmussen, are accused of committing disciplinary faults under B.C.'s Code of Professional Conduct Regulations.

The officers are accused of abuse of authority relating to the jailing of Kinloch and using unnecessary force by applying a restraining device and leaving it in place under circumstances that are abusive and oppressive.

The officers also face two neglect of duty allegations that relate to failing to diligently monitor the welfare of Kinloch, including determining if the continued use of the tether was necessary, and failing to notify the provincial Children and Family Development Ministry officials after police could not locate Kinloch's parents.

The Victoria Police Department has made several policy and equipment changes since the Kinloch incident, said Hamilton.

"The Victoria Police Department has upgraded surveillance camera technology, amended its policies regarding youth in custody and has increased accountability and supervision in the cell area regarding police and civilian employees."