Time for regional police? 'Brazen' Robson shooting renews idea of Metro Vancouver force
After two masked gunmen opened fire on a man in his car on Robson Street, sending innocent bystanders running for their lives, Vancouver police warned that there would likely be retaliatory violence somewhere in the region and insisted they work closely with other police agencies to combat gang activity.
But a former police chief and one-time attorney general says no matter how closely they work together, police forces are still distinct entities and the fractured policing system in Metro Vancouver is getting in the way of vital work.
“Not only is the structure affecting the accountability, it’s certainly obstructing the efficiency and the effectiveness of whatever strategy is utilized (by police),” said Kash Heed. “We’re going to see more of this before our policymakers, our politicians act.”
An all-party committee had urged the provincial government, which oversees policing, to adopt provincial or regional police services, but a year ago Solicitor General Mike Farnworth said there were “no plans” to do so, despite signs there have been moves to do so behind the scenes.
On Monday, CTV News asked whether the NDP government would be introducing legislation in the current spring session to that effect, and a ministry spokesperson replied that they would be bringing forward a bill with unspecified changes to the Police Act as an “initial step” toward broader changes.
“As part of phase two and the broader transformative work, the province is engaging with Indigenous partners, local governments, police leadership and agencies as well as human rights and community organizations,” they wrote. “This phase will also include exploring the opportunities for and implications of regionalization of police services.”
Calling the Robson shooting a “brazen disregard for human life,” Heed urged the province to take a stand in addressing gang violence with “some assertive movement” toward a unified police force for the region.
The Lower Mainland is the only metropolitan area of Canada without a unified police force, instead having a patchwork of more than 20 municipal forces (including Vancouver and New Westminster police departments, for example), various RCMP detachments that work independently, and agencies like the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit.
Vancouver is also the only major city in the country that has not annexed its suburbs and amalgamated itself into a mega-city, despite growing support for the idea.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
McGill says pro-Palestinian protest outside senior administrator's home 'crosses the line'
McGill University has denounced a pro-Palestinian protest held Sunday outside the home of one of its senior administrators.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
The world's best airline is paying staff a bonus of 8 months' salary
Singapore Airlines will reward its employees with a bonus worth nearly eight months of salary, a person familiar with the matter told CNN on Friday.
Katy Perry sings goodbye to 'American Idol'
Katy Perry said her goodbyes on 'American Idol' after seven seasons. On Sunday night’s live 'idol' season finale, a medley of Perry's hit songs were performed, including 'Teenage Dream,' 'Dark Horse' and 'California Gurls.'
Red Lobster probes 'endless shrimp' losses after bankruptcy filing
U.S.-based restaurant chain Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Florida court after securing $100 million in financing commitments from its existing lenders, the company said on Sunday.
Judge cites error, will reopen sentencing hearing for man who attacked Nancy Pelosi's husband
A federal judge will reopen the sentencing hearing for the man who broke into Nancy Pelosi's San Francisco home and bludgeoned her husband with a hammer after the judge failed to allow him to speak during his court appearance last week.
U.S. Supreme Court rejects appeal from former Guantanamo detainee Omar Khadr
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal by a Canadian-born former Guantanamo detainee who was seeking to wipe away his war crimes convictions, including for killing a U.S. soldier in Afghanistan.
Microsoft's AI chatbot will 'recall' everything you do on a PC
Microsoft wants laptop users to get so comfortable with its artificial intelligence chatbot that it will remember everything you're doing on your computer and help figure out what you want to do next.
Woman, 35, in critical condition after her truck collided with a Via Rail train near Montreal
A 35-year-old woman is in critical condition after the pick-up truck she was driving was struck by a Via Rail passenger train Monday morning in Quebec's Monteregie region.