National

Discrimination probe launched into police use of force in B.C.

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 30 Jan, 2024 10:41 AM

British Columbia's human rights commissioner has launched an inquiry into police use of force against people who are racialized or dealing with mental health issues.

Kasari Govender says in a statement the inquiry comes as a result of a 2021 study by the commissioner's office showing a "disturbing pattern of discrimination in policing in the province."

Govender says while no comprehensive data exists on the severity of the problem, available information suggests police use force "more frequently and with greater severity" against these two groups.

The inquiry is aimed at "quantifying" police use of force in these instances, and Govender says it aims to make recommendations to address "systemic discrimination."

The commissioner's November 2021 report analyzing data from five B.C. police jurisdictions found Indigenous, black and West-Asian people were all overrepresented in arrests and chargeable incidents.

The report also found that police interact more frequently with people dealing with mental health issues, which in turn has a "greater impact" on racialized individuals.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Helpline and funding for groups to combat hate-motivated violence in B.C.

The British Columbia government is offering groups affected by hate crimes up to $10,000 each in a bid to combat what it says is a spike in racially motivated incidents across the province. Premier David Eby said Wednesday the province will also launch a racist incident helpline starting in the spring to refer victims who experienced such attacks to counselling and other support services.

Helpline and funding for groups to combat hate-motivated violence in B.C.

Two more Canadians leave Gaza Strip, Freeland sidesteps Netanyahu rebuke of Trudeau

Israel began its latest war against Hamas, which Canada has listed as a terrorist entity since 2002, after its militants killed 1,200 people in Israel on Oct. 7. That included hundreds of civilians in their homes, in collective farming communities known as kibbutzim and at an outdoor music festival. Another 240 people were taken hostage.

Two more Canadians leave Gaza Strip, Freeland sidesteps Netanyahu rebuke of Trudeau

Trudeau arrives in Golden State for APEC summit in San Francisco

The government's newly acquired Airbus CC-330 taxied to a stop at San Francisco International Airport, where Kirsten Hillman, Canada's ambassador to the U.S., led a coterie of emissaries who greeted the prime minister as he disembarked.

Trudeau arrives in Golden State for APEC summit in San Francisco

Christmas tree sellers warn of widespread shortage of evergreens in Lower Mainland

Christmas tree sellers in the Lower Mainland are warning of a widespread shortage of evergreens, partially due to the ongoing climate crisis, hotter summers and longer droughts. Ben Degroot, the operations manager at Evergrow Christmas Trees, says at the moment, they have a healthy supply of trees, but he's expecting to sell out before December.

Christmas tree sellers warn of widespread shortage of evergreens in Lower Mainland

Break in at a Kelowna home

Kelowna R-C-M-P are praising two members of their canine unit in the arrest of a break-and-enter suspect with outstanding warrants from Mission, Abbotsford and Ridge Meadows. Police were called to a home early this morning for a report of a break-and-enter in progress.

Break in at a Kelowna home

YVR gets a 3.5M dollar investment

The Vancouver International Airport says a 3.5-million-dollar investment by the federal and provincial governments will go towards improving the main terminal's building performance and to reduce its overall emissions.