RCMP in B.C. to Get Civilian Oversight

A bill introduced today would end the practice of police investigating police.

British Columbia politicians will introduce a bill today that would create a new civilian oversight agency for the RCMP. The legislation follows up on one of the recommendations made in the public inquiry into Polish immigrant Robert Dziekanski's death after being Tasered by Mounties at Vancouver International Airport in 2007. If the bill passes, the agency it creates would look into all deaths or serious injuries resulting from police incidents, much like Ontario's Special Investigations Unit. It would end the practice of police forces investigating other police, which has raised many criticisms of a conflict of interest in such cases.