Abbotsford police are being accused of bullying the city’s homeless population by damaging tents and using pepper spray to make camps uninhabitable.
The allegations came to light at a meeting of Abbotsford’s social development advisory committee last week, days after the city admitted to using chicken manure to drive away vulnerable citizens.
Officers are accused of 12 incidents of harassment or property damage within the last 60 days.
The Abbotsford Police Department issued a statement Monday saying it is “very concerned” about the allegations, and Chief Const. Bob Rich has requested an investigation from the Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner.
Police also described the group that made the allegations, the 5 and 2 Ministries, as an important citizens’ advocate.
Early this month, Mayor Bruce Banman was forced to apologize after chicken manure was dumped several centimetres deep at a homeless gathering place near a set of railroad tracks.
Banman said he didn’t know who ordered the tactic, and refused to say whether the person or persons would face any kind of punishment.
One homeless resident claims to have suffered an eye infection due to exposure to the manure fumes.
The investigation into police conduct will be conducted by the department’s own professional standards section. Anyone with information is asked to call 604-859-5225.
