Ex-B.C. solicitor general Kash Heed disturbed by RCMP contract renewal talks

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      Former West Vancouver police chief and ex-B.C. solicitor general Kash Heed has blown the whistle on the negotiations for the renewal of the RCMP contract in the province.

      In a phone interview with the Straight today (September 24), the Vancouver-Fraserview Liberal MLA revealed “disturbing” developments in the talks.

      Heed recalled that as solicitor general, he had worked to include “critical clauses” in a new contract in order to make the RCMP accountable to citizens of B.C.

      “I’m hearing that...critical clauses that I argued for are no longer on the table during the negotiations,” Heed said. “And so I’m the first one to come out and say that we need to re-look this contract if those critical clauses are not in the contract.”

      One of these is to have the RCMP fall under the purview of the B.C. Police Act.

      “I mean all aspects of policing: accountability, oversight, governance, policies and procedures, use of force,” the veteran former police officer said. “It has to apply consistently throughout the province of British Columbia regardless of the colour of your uniform. This is a very critical clause because having this in the contract gives British Columbia the accountability that is needed for every police officer in the province.”

      According to Heed, this clause is no longer part of the negotiations.

      Heed also noted that another clause he had pushed for previously before he stepped down as solicitor general was to have civilian oversight over the RCMP though boards not unlike municipal police boards in areas that have their own independent police force.

      Heed referred to these as “community accountability boards”.

      “Everything that applies to municipal police boards right now would apply to these new community accountability boards for the RCMP,” he explained. “Again that so we can bring the accountability back to the province of British Columbia, we can bring the accountability back to municipal governments, we can bring the accountability back to the citizens of B.C.”

      According to Heed, this clause is also no longer on the table.

      Heed noted that he has recently started to engage the public regarding these issues, and he hopes citizens will rise up to demand a truly accountable police force in the province.

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      Comments

      8 Comments

      Pot Kettle Black

      Sep 24, 2010 at 9:08pm

      Look up Jack Crone and his association with Kash.

      What we need is real civilian oversight with TEETH regardless of whether we choose a provincial or federa policing service.

      Jim Van Rassel

      Sep 24, 2010 at 9:55pm

      Nice to see Kash Heeding in the right direction. In the words of Russell Peters and I quote,"Somebodys going to get a hurt,, real bad"
      Jim Van Rassel
      Coquitlam BC

      zoe-day@hotmail.com

      Sep 24, 2010 at 10:38pm

      You are asking the wrong question in your "survey".
      Why dont you ask if your readers agree with Kash Heed?
      I do, if you care.

      glen p robbins

      Sep 25, 2010 at 10:36am

      I don't care if it's within the context of association with an NDP government or a Bill Vander Zalm BC First government in 2013, there will be Civilian Oversight in the province of British Columbia - over all professionals - not just the police - including the RCMP or provincial force.

      So get the clause in the contract now to keep any future political murder to a minimum later please.

      ed peters

      Sep 26, 2010 at 6:46am

      BC is lucky to have the RCMP. You will never realize what you've lost till it's gone. Most police forces through out Canada (through their unions) would never put-up with a lot of the nonsensical Mountie bashing by members of the BC media that goes on. When there is nothing in the News of importance the BC seems to think that today might be a good day to bash the Mounties.

      Accountable

      Sep 26, 2010 at 8:47am

      That is the most misused word in this government and its MLA's as transparency and accountability where the first things the Liberal Government got out of the way as it is a government filled with lies and secrets. Now that is the truth. Why Heed is even talking about accountability misses the mark as the only thing that has made him accountable is the people of BC.
      I find it very troubling that the RCMP are always under the gun along with the VPD for their inability to make good judgements and breaking the law or causing serious harm to innocent people or simply just not doing the job.
      The morale of the officers couldn't be lower and dammed if you do and dammed if you don't is reminiscent of this case as how these men and women feel about the job they do and about themselves is more the real problem but Heed well he is from the Campbell bunch so what can you expect but rhetoric about something you will never get.

      Just Wondering

      Sep 26, 2010 at 9:12pm

      I don't trust this guy as far as I can throw him. Personally I think it's all about the provincial government trying to get control of the police force. Think about it BC and remember you voted the Liberals in and how has that turned out and if it wasn't for the RCMP would we ever know anything about what happened to BCRail and how it was handled.

      jo vella

      Sep 27, 2010 at 11:07am

      anonymous

      10:50 AM on September 27, .
      Kash Heed is right.

      Citizens want change but our mouths are muffled.

      Raw blind politics, absolutely. Also deaf and dumb.

      RCMP can't form an unfettered Union. Local governments will never get the "partnership" as opposed to "client' relationship with RCMP. They are delusional. Accountability is a pretense, unless all BC Police are signed on to the Police Act. These mayors are only signing onto the Political Act.

      Read UBCM website contract talks as of June membership notice. It seems just smoke and mirrors. RCMP maintains absolute control over important HR issues. RCMP donations go somewhere? Not local. Many Local Government wants are met with "not part of contract talks".
      "Contract Advisory Committee" to mollify LG's. I bet that committee is productive.

      Campbell is already on the hot seat. He should stand up, reinstate Heed as solicitor general and ignore the cries of pants on fire. The Heed is on!