Media Releases

December 12, 2018

The Police Complaint Commissioner would like to share the following message: “I wish to congratulate the Special Committee of the legislature on their selection of Clayton Pecknold as the next Commissioner. Clayton is a well-respected public service leader and he will bring to our office an entrenched public interest perspective. We will both work towards a smooth transition into his appointment.” View Release (.pdf)

November 20, 2018

The Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner wishes to advise that the 2017/2018 Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner Annual Report is available on our website. View Release (.pdf)

November 16, 2018

The Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner wishes to advise the media that the Review on the Record into the disciplinary decision involving Constable Byron Ritchie of the Delta Police Department will commence on November 20, 2018. The Review on the Record is scheduled to convene on November 20, 2018, at the Robson Square Courthouse, Room #109 at 10:00 am, in Vancouver. View Release (.pdf)

October 2, 2018

The Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner wishes to advise the media that the Review on the Record involving Constable Geoffrey Young of the Delta Police Department, before the adjudicator, Retired Judge Carole Lazar, will commence on October 5, 2018. The Review on the Record is scheduled to convene on October 5, 2018, at the Robson Square Courthouse, Room #109 at 9:30 am, in Vancouver. View Release (.pdf)

October 2, 2018

Public Hearing into the conduct of Constable Diaz and former Constable Hughes. The Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner wishes to advise the media that the scheduled hearing dates of October 9, 10, 11 and 12, 2018, at the Robson Square Courthouse, Room #109 at 09:30am, in Vancouver have been cancelled. Further updates regarding this matter will be provided at a later date. View Release (.pdf)

October 1, 2018

On September 26th, 2018, the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner (OPCC) released a public report confirming the decisions of the two retired judges as final and conclusive. In the Commissioner’s review of the Mayors’ discipline process (at page 40 of the report), he quoted from the covering letter that the internal investigator sent to the Mayors, dated November 16, 2015. It seems that the Commissioner’s reference to that letter, without the content of the entire letter, has created some confusion as to when the Mayors knew about allegations of bullying and harassment against former chief Frank Elsner. For the purposes of clarity, the Commissioner is releasing the letter in its entirety, except for two portions that are not relevant, which have been removed. The letter is attached to the Media Statement. View Release (.pdf)

September 26, 2018

Police Complaint Commissioner Stan T. Lowe has completed a review of two investigations and subsequent discipline proceedings involving former Chief Constable Frank Elsner. The discipline proceedings took place before retired Chief Judge Carol Baird Ellan and retired Justice Ian Pitfield, acting as Discipline Authorities. The Commissioner has determined that it is in the public interest to release to the public his Summary Informational Report: “Review of The Investigations and Disciplinary Process Concerning Frank Elsner.” The Report includes aspects of the police discipline process, including relevant excerpts from the retired judges decisions in each discipline proceeding. View Release (.pdf)

Summary Informational Report View Release (.pdf)

September 17, 2018

The Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner wishes to advise the media that the Public Hearing involving Inspector John de Haas of the Vancouver Police Department, before the adjudicator, Retired Judge Carol Baird Ellan, is to be continued on September 19, 2018. The Public Hearing is scheduled to reconvene on September 19, 2018, at the Robson Square Courthouse, Room #109 at 09:00 am, in Vancouver. View Release (.pdf)

August 15, 2018

The Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner wishes to advise the media that dates have been set for the Public Hearing into allegations of misconduct against Constable Mark Lobel and Constable Viet Hoang of the Vancouver Police Department. The scheduled hearing dates are September 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 2018, and November 13, 14 and 16, 2018, at the Vancouver Robson Square Courthouse in Courtroom #109, starting at 9:30am View Release (.pdf)

July 30, 2018

The Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner has decided it is in the public interest to post the correspondence letters from the BC Association of Municipal Chiefs of Police and the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner, in relation to concerns regarding this office’s approach in cases of on duty motor vehicle incidents involving police officers, potential violations under the Motor Vehicle Act and corresponding allegations of misconduct pursuant to the Police Act. This disclosure is made pursuant to section 95 of the Police Act. View Release (.pdf)

BC Chiefs of Police Letter to PCC Lowe View Release (.pdf)

OPCC Response to BC Chiefs of Police View Release (.pdf)

OPCC Response to BC Chiefs of Police Additional Information View Release (.pdf)