What started as a pilot project in 2024 to help Indigenous people affected by police violence and negligence in B.C. has now come to fruition.
On Wednesday, June 10, BC First Nations Justice Council (BCFNJC) launched a Police Accountability Unit (PAU) in response to “the disproportionate level of harmful police interactions experienced by Indigenous communities, the unit supports individuals navigating the complex system of police oversight processes through free legal supports,” reads a press release.
Since the pilot project began nearly two years ago (Aug. 2024), the PAU has taken on 220 files and has become an Indigenous-led accountability service. Now, it’s an official BCFNJC service.
“When one of our community members or our children experiences police violence, we all feel it, and that doesn’t go away,” said Cloy-e-iis (Dr. Judith Sayers), BCFNJC director and representative for policing and oversight, and president of Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council. “The statistics are there, and the pattern of violence and death has been documented time and again. The PAU is a step towards taking police oversight into our own hands on a provincial level. I am proud to share this service with First Nations and Indigenous communities across B.C. who have been asking for somewhere to turn, where they know they will be heard.”
Officially launched the PAU advances Strategy 7: Stronger Oversight and Accountability of the BC First Nations Justice Strategy, as well as aligning with BCFNJC’s mandate to improve justice for Indigenous people across the province.
The PAU can investigate cases related to municipal police forces, RCMP members, bylaw officers, and individuals in other law enforcement roles. In addition, the unit’s staff lawyers will provide legal services, including advice, filing police complaints, and pursuing civil action and complaints.
The PAU is an independent program funded by the Law Foundation of BC.