BCCLA complaint wants police free speech policy defined

An allegation that a Victoria Police Department police officer has been ordered not to discuss harm reduction at an upcoming drug policy conference has caused the BCCLA to file a policy complaint with the Victoria Police Board. The complaint asks the Board to define an off-duty speech policy for officers in line with Charter free speech values.

 

“Police officers from Vancouver speak regularly on drug policy, often contradicting official VPD policy,” said Jason Gratl, Vice-President of the BCCLA. “We’re not sure why Victoria’s policy would be different. Both departments are governed by the same Charter of Rights and Freedoms.”

 

In 2007, Vancouver Police Department (VPD) officer John McKay criticized the four pillar approach to drug policy in Vancouver in the Ottawa Citizen newspaper, calling it “a failed social experiment.” At the time the VPD supported, and still currently supports, the four pillar approach. The BCCLA is not aware of any discipline or limits imposed on Mr. Mckay.

 

In 2008, a complaint was filed against VPD officer Mark Steinkampf for criticizing the Insite safe injection site in the media, contrary to VPD policy, while in uniform and on duty. The complaint resulted in the following finding by the VPD senior management investigator:

 

 

“When Chief Graham worked in Vancouver, he tolerated members speaking out against official policy on drug issues,” notes Gratl. “We hope he and the Victoria Police Board will investigate our concerns and assure the public that they support free speech on critical matters of public policy for their off-duty officers.”