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Difference between revisions of "Complaints Against the RCMP"
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{{REVIEWEDPLS | reviewer = [https://www.crcc-ccetp.gc.ca/ | {{REVIEWEDPLS | reviewer = [https://www.crcc-ccetp.gc.ca/ Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP|date= March 2019}} {{Dial-A-Law TOC|expanded = crime}} | ||
If you | If you have concerns about the '''on-duty conduct of an RCMP officer''', you have options, which can include filing a complaint and suing. The options vary depending on the situation. | ||
==Understand your legal options== | ==Understand your legal options== | ||
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Some municipalities in BC are policed by their own police force, including several in the Vancouver and Victoria areas. If you have a complaint about a local police force, see our information on [[Complaints Against the Municipal Police (No. 221)|complaints against the municipal police (no. 221)]]. | Some municipalities in BC are policed by their own police force, including several in the Vancouver and Victoria areas. If you have a complaint about a local police force, see our information on [[Complaints Against the Municipal Police (No. 221)|complaints against the municipal police (no. 221)]]. | ||
===If you are concerned with an RCMP officer’s conduct=== | ===If you are concerned with an RCMP officer’s on-duty conduct=== | ||
You may be concerned with the conduct of an RCMP officer. You may feel they used excessive force in the course of an arrest or investigation. Or you were offended by something an officer said or did to you. Or the RCMP damaged your property. | You may be concerned with the on-duty conduct of an RCMP officer. You may feel they used excessive force in the course of an arrest or investigation. Or you were offended by something an officer said or did to you. Or the RCMP damaged your property. | ||
You have at least four options, depending on the situation: | You have at least four options, depending on the situation: | ||
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===Filing a police complaint=== | ===Filing a police complaint=== | ||
If you have concerns with an RCMP officer’s conduct, you can '''make a complaint'''. You can | |||
If you have concerns with an RCMP officer’s conduct, you can '''make a complaint'''. You can submit a complaint at [http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/detach/en/find/BC an RCMP office] or with [https://www.crcc-ccetp.gc.ca/en/make-complaint an independent agency] that reviews complaints made against RCMP officers. | |||
Filing a police complaint might result in a recommendation for discipline of the officer involved. It will not result in the payment of money for any injuries or harm you have suffered. | Filing a police complaint might result in a recommendation for discipline of the officer involved. It will not result in the payment of money for any injuries or harm you have suffered. | ||
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Suing the police might lead to a settlement or judgment involving the payment of money. | Suing the police might lead to a settlement or judgment involving the payment of money. | ||
A lawsuit is filed in either Small Claims Court or the Supreme Court of BC, depending on the amount of money sought. There are rules and processes that must be followed. Lawsuits must normally be filed within '''two years''' of the incident. See our information on [[ | A lawsuit is filed in either Small Claims Court or the Supreme Court of BC, depending on the amount of money sought. There are rules and processes that must be followed. Lawsuits must normally be filed within '''two years''' of the incident. See our information on [[Starting a Lawsuit (No. 165)|starting a lawsuit (no. 165)]]. | ||
===Filing a human rights complaint=== | ===Filing a human rights complaint=== | ||
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===Who can make a complaint=== | ===Who can make a complaint=== | ||
Anyone with some '''connection to the conduct''' of an RCMP officer can make a complaint against the officer. A connection means the officer’s conduct affected you or someone you’re acting for. Or you were present when the conduct occurred, or you suffered some harm or loss from it. | Anyone with some '''connection to the on-duty conduct''' of an RCMP officer can make a complaint against the officer. A connection means the officer’s on-duty conduct affected you directly or someone you’re acting for. Or you were present when the conduct occurred, or you suffered some harm or loss from it. | ||
===Step 1. Make a complaint=== | ===Step 1. Make a complaint=== | ||
You make a complaint | You '''make a complaint''' to the [https://www.crcc-ccetp.gc.ca/en/make-complaint Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP], or at an [http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/detach/en/find/BC RCMP office]. | ||
The Commission is an independent agency that | The Commission is an independent agency that ensures that public complaints made about the conduct of RCMP members are examined fairly and impartially. The Commission receives complaints from the public and conducts reviews when complainants are not satisfied with the RCMP’s handling of their complaints. The Commission is not part of the RCMP. The Commission has interpretation services for various languages. | ||
You can make a complaint: | You can make a complaint to the Commission: | ||
* Using the online complaint form on the Commission website at [http://www.crcc-ccetp.gc.ca/en/make-complaint-form complaintscommission.ca]. | * Using the online complaint form on the Commission website at [http://www.crcc-ccetp.gc.ca/en/make-complaint-form complaintscommission.ca]. | ||
* By phone by calling the Commission toll-free at 1-800-665-6878. | * By phone by calling the Commission toll-free at 1-800-665-6878. | ||
