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Difference between revisions of "I Was Harassed or Assaulted by the Police"
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I Was Harassed or Assaulted by the Police (view source)
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| tips = There is now an independent, civilian-led body that <span class="noglossary">will</span> conduct investigations into on- and off-duty police involved in incidents that result in death or serious harm. For more information see the website for the [http://iiobc.ca/ Independent Investigations Office of BC]. | | tips = There is now an independent, civilian-led body that <span class="noglossary">will</span> conduct investigations into on- and off-<span class="noglossary">duty</span> police involved in incidents that result in death or serious harm. For more information see the website for the [http://iiobc.ca/ Independent Investigations Office of BC]. | ||
}} | }} | ||
== First steps == | == First steps == | ||
#Make notes about what happened, where and when. Include the name or badge number or description of the officer(s) if you can. | #Make notes about what happened, where and when. Include the name or badge number or description of the officer(s) if you can. | ||
#Contact people who witnessed the incident. Ask them to write down what happened and give you a copy. They should include their name, address and phone number. | #<span class="noglossary">Contact</span> people who witnessed the incident. Ask them to write down what happened and give you a copy. They should include their name, address and phone number. | ||
#If you were injured, go see a doctor to record your injuries. Tell the doctor what happened. Take pictures of your injuries. | #If you were injured, go see a doctor to record your injuries. Tell the doctor what happened. Take pictures of your injuries. | ||
#Complete and send in a '''complaint form''' to the [[Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP]] or to the Office of the [[Police Complaints Commissioner (BC)]]. You can obtain complaint forms from the website of either of these agencies; see the [[Resource List]] for contact and website information. | #Complete and send in a '''complaint form''' to the [[Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP]] or to the Office of the [[Police Complaints Commissioner (BC)]]. You can obtain complaint forms from the website of either of these agencies; see the [[Resource List]] for <span class="noglossary">contact</span> and website information. | ||
== What happens next == | == What happens next == | ||
Your complaint <span class="noglossary">will</span> be investigated by a police officer. In minor cases, the investigator <span class="noglossary">will</span> contact you and attempt to resolve the complaint informally, sometimes by arranging an apology or explaining what had happened. In more serious cases, or where you say that you would prefer not to do informal resolution, the investigator <span class="noglossary">will</span> investigate the incident in depth. You <span class="noglossary">will</span> be provided with a report of what happened. | Your complaint <span class="noglossary">will</span> be investigated by a police officer. In <span class="noglossary">minor</span> cases, the investigator <span class="noglossary">will</span> <span class="noglossary">contact</span> you and attempt to resolve the complaint informally, sometimes by arranging an apology or explaining what had happened. In more serious cases, or where you say that you would prefer not to do informal resolution, the investigator <span class="noglossary">will</span> investigate the incident in depth. You <span class="noglossary">will</span> be provided with a report of what happened. | ||
Most complaints in British Columbia are not substantiated, which means the complainant’s version of events is not accepted, or the conduct complained about is legal under Canadian law. | Most complaints in British Columbia are not substantiated, which means the complainant’s version of events is not accepted, or the conduct complained about is legal under Canadian law. | ||
In the case of the RCMP, if you are not satisfied with the informal resolution or the investigator’s report, you can submit a '''Request for Complaint Review''' to the Chair of the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP. The Chair may deny your request, order a further investigation or, in very serious cases, order a public hearing. | In the case of the RCMP, if you are not satisfied with the informal resolution or the investigator’s report, you can submit a '''Request for Complaint Review''' to the Chair of the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP. The Chair may deny your request, <span class="noglossary">order</span> a further investigation or, in very serious cases, <span class="noglossary">order</span> a public hearing. | ||
In the case of municipal forces, if you are not satisfied with the informal resolution or the investigator’s report, you can send a letter to the Office of the [[Police Complaints Commissioner (BC)]] asking for a review. The Commissioner <span class="noglossary">will</span> review the investigation and may order further investigation. | In the case of municipal forces, if you are not satisfied with the informal resolution or the investigator’s report, you can send a letter to the Office of the [[Police Complaints Commissioner (BC)]] asking for a review. The Commissioner <span class="noglossary">will</span> review the investigation and may <span class="noglossary">order</span> further investigation. | ||
== Where to get help == | == Where to get help == | ||
