Systemic Investigations

Systemic investigations allow the OPCC to look beyond individual incidents to examine broader patterns, risks, and practices in policing, helping to drive meaningful change and strengthen public confidence.

A systemic investigation is not focused on assigning individual blame, nor is it intended to generate complaints or result in discipline against specific officers. Instead, its purpose is to examine systemic matters, identify contributing factors, and develop recommendations to address underlying issues that affect policing practices and public trust.

Outcomes of a Systemic Investigation:

Following a systemic investigation, the OPCC will:

• Develop and issue recommendations aimed at preventing police misconduct and improving police practices.
• Prepare and release public reports outlining findings and conclusions.
• Inform the public, police, government, and other interest holders about identified systemic issues and recommended improvements.

What Is a Systemic Issue?

Systemic issues go beyond singular or isolated incidents. They reflect broader, recurring, or entrenched concerns within policing practices, policies, or structures that may impact public trust, fairness, and the effectiveness of police oversight. Systemic issues may contribute to:

• Patterns of police misconduct
• Inequitable treatment of individuals or communities
• Gaps or challenges in the oversight and accountability processes established under the Police Act

How the OPCC Decides What to Investigate

Evidence‑based and community‑informed

A systemic investigation must be necessary in the public interest. In deciding whether to initiate an investigation, the OPCC considers factors including:

• The nature and seriousness of the issue
• The prevalence or recurrence of the issue
• Whether an investigation is necessary to preserve public confidence in the disciplinary process
• Whether the issue has already been studied or investigated by the Director of Policing and Law Enforcement Services

Community perspectives and lived experiences are an important part of identifying and understanding systemic issues and their impacts.

OPCC Powers During a Systemic Investigation

During a systemic investigation, the OPCC has the authority to:

• Obtain statements and conduct interviews with municipal police officers and municipal police board members
• Access records, premises, and equipment of municipal police departments and municipal police boards
• Make recommendations to police departments, police boards, and government

Recommendations

Following a systemic investigation, the OPCC may issue recommendations aimed at preventing police misconduct, improving police practices, and strengthening public trust in police oversight and accountability.

These recommendations would be informed by evidence gathered during the investigation and intended to promote learning, systemic improvement, and consistency with best practices in policing.

Recommendations may be made to one or more of the following:

• Municipal police departments
• Municipal police boards
• Director of Policing and Law Enforcement Services or the Minister
• A person, entity, or body that the Minister considers appropriate

While recommendations are not legally binding, they carry significant weight as an independent assessment of systemic issues and opportunities for improvement. The OPCC will monitor and track progress on the implementation of recommendations and publicly report on progress to support transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement in policing.

Guiding Principles for Systemic Investigations

Systemic investigations are guided by three overarching values governing all OPCC functions:

• Integrity: Our actions and decisions are impartial, fact-based, and adhere to high ethical standards.
• Independence: We work collaboratively with interest holders without compromising the OPCC’s independence. Decisions to initiate investigations and the resulting recommendations are free from any improper influence or interference.
• Fairness: Investigations are conducted in accordance with the Police Act, principles of administrative fairness, and consider all relevant law, policy, procedures and practices.

Additional Principles Specific to Systemic Investigations

• Public interest: Systemic investigations seek to address underlying issues that give rise to police complaints, particularly where impacts are disproportionate or harm public confidence. Engagement with interest holders helps identify and prioritize issues affecting trust in policing and oversight.
• Reconciliation: Systemic investigations consider how systemic policing issues have uniquely impacted Indigenous peoples in British Columbia. The OPCC seeks to build relationships and collaborate with Indigenous leaders and communities, incorporating Indigenous perspectives and practices, and advancing reconciliation.
• Continuous Improvement: Systemic investigations focus on learning and improvement—not assigning blame. Recommendations are intended to be practical and actionable, and organizations are expected to respond. The OPCC also learns from each investigation to continually improve its systemic oversight work.
• Transparency: The OPCC promotes public trust by sharing timely and relevant information about systemic investigations, including their scope, progress, final reports, recommendations, and responses to those recommendations.
• Panoramic Approach: The OPCC values diverse perspectives and examines issues from multiple angles to develop a comprehensive understanding of systemic concerns. This inclusive approach strengthens decision‑making, supports meaningful engagement, and leads to well‑informed, actionable recommendations.

Memorandum of Understanding 

To support cooperative and efficient systemic investigations under the Police Act, the Police Complaint Commissioner and 13 municipal police departments and designated units have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

The MOU clarifies investigation procedures, including the coordination of document disclosure, interviews, and statements. It also establishes processes for police departments and designated units to provide input on matters such as investigation scope and methodology. The MOU reflects a shared commitment to examining systemic issues effectively and transparently in the public interest.