New handcuffing policy approved by Vancouver Police Board but Indigenous, Black communities not consulted
The Vancouver Police Board approved a new, interim handcuffing policy for the local police department Thursday.
The changes came after an Indigenous man and his 12-year-old granddaughter and a B.C. Supreme Court justice, who is Black, were detained in separate incidents.
In 2019, Maxwell Johnson and his granddaughter were handcuffed after trying to open an account at a downtown Vancouver Bank of Montreal using their government-issued status cards.
"It really hurts us inside what happened to us, being taken out of BMO bank and being handcuffed right on the street," Johnson told CTV News.
And earlier this year, Selwyn Romilly, the first Black person to be named a B.C. Supreme Court justice, was wrongfully detained near English Bay in what police called a case of mistaken identity. At the time, Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart said he was "appalled" by the situation.
"Such incidents are unacceptable and cannot continue to happen," Stewart said in a statement.
The new policy, pitched to the board on Thursday, recommended that handcuffs only be used when reasonable, proportionate to the risk, and necessary to fulfil a legitimate policing objective when the officer believes using cuffs is necessary. It also said officers shouldn't handcuff a child who appears to be under the age of 12, unless all other options have been exhausted.
In approving the policy, however, the board reportedly didn't consult with any affected communities, including Johnson or his First Nation. The police board also didn't appear to consult its own advisory committees before recommending the changes.
The chief of the Heiltsuk Nation believes the lack of consultation points to a much larger problem.
"We really, truly believe that there is systemic racism and discrimination within the Vancouver Police Department," Chief Marilyn Slett told CTV News Vancouver.
In Thursday's meeting, some members of the board pushed for consultation before the interim policy is made permanent.
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Ben Miljure and Nafeesa Karim
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.