Complaints watchdog over RCMP will close its Surrey office

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      The independent agency that receives complaints about the Mounties is closing its Surrey office.

      The Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP will only have one office in Ottawa. It will result in the layoff of eight employees, according to CKNW Radio.

      B.C. has more Mounties than any other province because some of the Lower Mainland's largest municipalities (Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, the District and City of Langley, and the District and City of North Vancouver) contract policing service from the RCMP.

      In 2013-14, the commission processed 3,622 general inquiries and formal complaints against the national police force.

      Here were the 10 most common complaints:

      1. Attitude other than abusive language: 20 percent.

      2. Criminal investigation quality: 18 percent.

      3. Improper arrest: 9 percent.

      4. Police physical abuse (other than restraints): 6 percent.

      4. Vehicular incidents: 6 percent.

      5. Detention: 5 percent.

      6. Search and seizure: 4 percent.

      7. Incidents involving alcohol or drugs: 3 percent.

      7. Police complaint process (RCMP): 3 percent.

      7. Property mishandling: 3 percent.

      There were 219 requests for a review of the RCMP's internal investigations. In 12 percent of these reviews, the commission wasn't satisfied with the Mounties' probe.

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