Statement From West Vancouver Police Board Chair
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
West Vancouver, BC - West Vancouver Police Board Chair, Pamela Goldsmith-Jones, has made the following statement with respect to the two complaints recently filed against former Chief Constable, Kash Heed:
"The complaints were filed after Kash Heed's resignation as Chief Constable. The Police Act does not permit the Police Board Chair to reveal the contents of complaints that have been filed. When a complaint is made against a Chief Constable, the Police Act provides that the Board Chair makes various decisions regarding the complaint. At the beginning of the process, the Police Act requires the Board Chair to decide whether the complaint should be dismissed without investigation. In order to maintain public confidence in this process, I have asked Retired Judge Ben Casson, Q.C., to act as an independent, impartial advisor regarding preliminary decisions that the Chair must make. This is in line with proposed amendments to the Police Act. Retired Judge Casson’s background includes twenty eight years as a member of the Alberta Provincial Court, and service as Interim B.C. Police Complaint Commissioner from July 2002 to February 2003. As Board Chair, I will continue to closely consult with the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner."