Public scrutiny of police oversight grows
‘Obviously attributable to the media surrounding the George Floyd situation’
Public interest in oversight of police in B.C. by the Independent Investigations Office has surged recently but the number of investigations launched is similar to last year, the agency says.
In the past week, the civilian oversight agency launched seven investigations into cases involving police where someone was badly hurt or killed.
It was a large number of cases for a week, but not unprecedented, said Ronald MacDonald, chief civilian director for the IIO.
Since the fiscal year started on April 1, the IIO has received 50 incident notifications, including 38 that led to investigations and 12 that didn’t meet the mandate for investigation. The newest is still being assessed.
That number is similar to 2019-2020, when the agency launched 36 investigations in the same period.
While the number of investigations hasn’t risen much since last year, attention to them has, MacDonald said.
Following the death of George Floyd in the U.S., he has been receiving far more requests for interviews.
Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died after a white policeman knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes on May 25. Since then, protests over police brutality against black Americans have been held across the U.S.
“(There’s) absolutely no question that the media has paid more attention to the issues of oversight and police use of force, obviously attributable to the media surrounding the George Floyd situation,” MacDonald said.
On Thursday, the IIO announced it was investigating the death of a man in Kelowna after RCMP received a report June 1 of a single-vehicle collision. A man believed to be the driver was found dead nearby. Hours earlier, an officer went to the scene but did not see a vehicle or crash site and took no further action. “The IIO will investigate to determine what role, if any, the officers’ actions or inaction may have played in the death of the man, including if the search location was the same as the collision and whether the man could have been saved, given his injuries,” the IIO stated.
On Wednesday, the IIO said it was investigating the death of a man following his arrest by RCMP officers in Kitimat on Saturday. “While in custody, the man fell a number of times and was transported to hospital … before being released on the morning of May 31,” an IIO statement said. Later that day, after being released, the man fell again while drunk and was taken to hospital overnight. He died on June 1, the statement read.
On Monday, the IIO reported it was investigating an incident in Williams Lake in which an intoxicated man in emotional distress was seriously injured after fleeing from police Sunday night on a motorcycle that ended up having “an interaction” with a police vehicle.
The IIO on Sunday also reported an investigation into an arrest Friday night in Prince Rupert. RCMP responded to a call about an intoxicated man and woman sitting near the waterfront. “Officers advised the woman she was under arrest and a struggle ensued,” the IIO stated. “The woman then allegedly jumped down a drop nearby, falling approximately 20 feet.” She was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Also on Sunday, the IIO reported it was investigating Delta police response to a report of a taxi being stolen from the Tsawwassen ferry terminal. “Officers quickly located the man, who fled towards the ferry causeway beach. The man reportedly produced weapons and was taken into custody,” the IIO reported. “During the course of his arrest, the man suffered serious injuries.”
On Friday, the IIO said it was investigating a death in Richmond on May 28. RCMP were called to a fight near a business. After handcuffing a man, officers realized he was in medical distress, the IIO reported. He was pronounced dead shortly after being taken to hospital.
On Thursday, the IIO reported it was investigating police response to a report of a man who was alleged to have a weapon in a hotel room in Abbotsford on May 21. “During the course of his arrest, the affected person sustained serious but not life-threatening injuries.”
When a child takes her first steps, it’s an exhilarating moment for them and their parents. Kids usually start walking anywhere from nine to 18 months of age, but for Mary Cardle’s daughter, it was much later.
Now seven years old, Ainsley has Down syndrome and autism. By her fourth birthday, despite her mom’s tireless efforts, she still couldn’t walk. “Every single night we’d be practising up and down the hallways in my building and on the stairs,” Cardle says. “I knew she could do it, but mentally, it was very difficult for her.”
A single mom who works full-time, Cardle could not afford private therapy to help get her little girl walking. She turned to Variety – the Children’s Charity for assistance. She applied for and received funding for pediatric physiotherapy from the organization that helps B.C. kids with special needs. Cardle describes what happened next as a miracle.
“She was walking within three weeks,” Cardle says. “The physiotherapist knows how to work with these kids: she’s a total miracle worker. The first things she said to me was, ‘Ainsley is going to walk.’ And she did. To see her walking for the first time – I still cry when I think about it.”
For more than 50 years, Variety has been providing direct support to children through medical care and services, such as mobility equipment, developmental programs, counselling, and more. The charity steps in where public or private health care plans end. Like other families who have benefited from Variety’s help, Cardle describes the help as life-changing.
Due to COVID-19, however, the organization is facing challenges for the first time in its history. The demand from families has doubled and donations are down.
Ainsley is just one of thousands of children who have made tremendous progress through Variety-funded supports.
Although physical distancing means in-person therapies have been suspended, Variety is funding virtual sessions wherever possible.
“Those teletherapies have been a godsend,” Cardle says. “Without them, I worry Ainsley would fall even more behind.”
The organization is currently assisting approximately 1,000 children. Another 300 are on a waitlist. Because of the economic impact of the pandemic, grant applications are on hold. Variety is a last-resort charity and if they are not able to help these kids, the families will have nowhere else to turn.
Kenton Boston, vice-president of national and network news for Global News, is Variety’s board chair. He says that much has changed in the world since Variety first launched, but one thing has not: “Variety is still on the front lines,” Boston says. “It’s often the last line of defence, and it’s heart-wrenching to see, for the first time ever, that it’s facing a difficult time.”
Variety will always be there for B.C.’s kids. But they need support to keep helping kids meet their full potential.
“We really need people’s help right now,” Boston says. “Variety’s support is wide-ranging; it’s across the province for kids from all walks of life. The need is dire.”
People can support B.C.’s children with special needs by donating online at www.variety.bc.ca.