Victoria Police Chief Jamie Graham announced a sweeping review of the department's use of force and cell block operations policies Tuesday.
The announcement comes in the wake of a string of assault allegations against officers in his department.
Former Ottawa police chief Vince Bevan will lead the review. He is expected to examine the department's use of force tactics, as well as monitor operations and interview officers. He will present his recommendations to the police board.
The results will be made public after they are reviewed by the board.
The probe is prompted by several high-profile incidents this winter, including a January incident in the cell block area that led to allegations of assault against Sergeant George Chong, brother of Oak Bay–Gordon Head MLA, Ida Chong.
In April, the Calgary Police Service agreed to conduct an internal investigation of the Victoria Police Department after a video posted on YouTube showed two officers apparently kicking a man who is being restrained outside of a nightclub.
The Vancouver Police Department is also handling the criminal investigation -- monitored by the B.C. Police Complaint Commissioner's office.
The department has faced several controversies in recent years involving officer conduct in the cell block.
Willow Kinloch was 15 when she was arrested for public drunkenness, sued and reached an out-of-court settlement with police after she spent four hours tethered to the cell door.
A man was left with permanent brain injuries when an officer slammed him onto a concrete floor in 2004.
The review is expected to cost between $15,000 and $17,000.
