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Vancouver Police Report Highlights Need for Improved Documentation
A report from the Vancouver Police Department (VPD), authored by retiring Sgt. Mark Andrews, underscores significant deficiencies in the department’s report writing practices. This assessment comes amidst concerns regarding the handling of shoplifting cases in 2023.
Global News obtained a copy of Andrews’ report through a freedom of information request filed in September 2023. The document, titled ‘Improving Report Writing Processes in the Vancouver Police Department,’ was completed shortly before Andrews’ retirement in August.
Remarkably, 16 out of the 18 pages of this memo were heavily redacted by the VPD, citing the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The department argued that the omissions were necessary to protect advice or recommendations intended for internal consideration.
Although the memo revealed that the quality of service by VPD members typically ranged from good to very high, Andrews noted that the documentation quality of that service varied significantly, with descriptions ranging from “very poor” to “fair.”
Global News began investigating Andrews’ report after discovering a troubling trend in the handling of files related to a significant shoplifting operation. It was reported that over half of the files stemming from this initiative had not been forwarded to Crown counsel for review, which raised questions about the efficacy of police documentation and follow-through.
During an analysis of the 276 files related to Project Barcode, it was found that 56% lacked any charges due to incomplete submissions. The BC Prosecution Service indicated that only 143 of those files were received, with a remarkable 83% of them leading to charges. Additionally, the VPD cited issues such as lack of evidence or non-cooperative witnesses as reasons for not progressing on other files.
Challenges in Documentation Impacting Prosecutions
The situation has drawn criticism from legal experts. Former Crown prosecutor Rob Dhanu observed that inadequate documentation could severely impair investigations and the ability to identify crime trends. He highlighted that the report writing issue appears to be systemic within the VPD.
Dhanu remarked on the futility of making arrests without proper documentation, stating, “It’s like spiking the football before you get to the end zone.” This sentiment was echoed by Kash Heed, a former West Vancouver police chief, who emphasized that effective report writing is crucial for securing approvals for legal action.
Heed noted, “If you don’t articulate the evidence of your investigation, the Crown cannot go forward on a prosecution.” The lack of thorough follow-through on investigations makes it difficult to translate arrests into actionable prosecutions.
Despite the report being unsolicited, VPD Sgt. Steve Addison acknowledged the importance of Andrews’ insights. He confirmed that the department values feedback from its members, and Andrews’ suggestions were forwarded to the VPD’s Training and Recruiting Section for consideration. Some of the recommendations have already been integrated into the training programs for new officers.
The VPD, managing more than 4,500 calls for service weekly, ensures that police reports undergo scrutiny by supervising sergeants to confirm that all necessary investigative steps are documented. Addison underscored the department’s commitment to thorough investigation and accountability regarding crime.
The findings from Andrews’ report and the ongoing challenges with documentation highlight critical areas for reform within the Vancouver Police Department aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of its operations and ultimately improving public safety outcomes.
Source
globalnews.ca