Commissioner’s Biography

Police Complaint Commissioner, Clayton Pecknold

Clayton Pecknold was sworn in as British Columbia’s fourth Police Complaint Commissioner on February 1, 2019. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Pecknold was appointed as the Assistant Deputy Minister and Director of Police Services, Policing and Security Branch, Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General in March 2011. The Policing and Security Branch provides regulatory oversight over policing, law enforcement and private security in British Columbia.

Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Mr. Pecknold joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in 1986. He holds a law degree from Dalhousie University and was called to the Bar of British Columbia in 1996. Over his career in public service, he has worked in several provinces in Canada, and has held senior positions in the justice and public safety sector as a senior government official, a senior police leader and legal counsel.

He is a past Director of the Emergency Communications for British Columbia Incorporated (ECOMM911) and is the past Chair of the Board of the Police Records Information Management Environment (PRIME-BC). He has also been an active member of various national justice and public safety associations/committees at the provincial and national level.

Mr. Pecknold is a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia and holds a number of awards and designations.

Commissioner’s Message – UPDATED

During the past 5 years, public attention to policing, and more particularly to police oversight and accountability, has grown significantly. Beyond the lingering effects of the global pandemic, the OPCC, like all public institutions, has been required to adapt and change to emerging public expectations about police accountability. We have also been required to plan for the growth requirements associated with the creation of the Surrey Municipal Police Service and their transition to OPCC oversight.

Looking forward, the coming years will present the need for continued change as reforms to the Police Act are considered. In completing my 5-year term as Police Complaint Commissioner, I retire after 38 years of full-time service at all three levels of government. I depart with the confidence that the incoming Commissioner will join the excellent team of dedicated staff at the OPCC and will enjoy the same support I have been privileged to receive.

Sincerely,

Clayton Pecknold
Police Complaint Commissioner