Municipal Police Boards

There are 11 municipal police departments in British Columbia serving the following communities: Abbotsford, Delta, Central Saanich, Nelson, New Westminster, Oak Bay, Port Moody, Saanich, Vancouver, Victoria and West Vancouver. The RCMP serves all other B.C. municipalities.

The Police Act requires each municipal police department to have a board consisting of:

• The mayor who acts as board chair
• One person appointed by the municipal council
• Up to five people appointed by the Province.

The appointment criteria and process allows municipal governments to contribute to the makeup of their police board while also distancing the boards from regular council operations. This ensures independence which is fundamental to policing in a free and democratic society.

Police Board Mandate and Responsibility

Each police board is mandated to establish and operate a police department in their municipality responsible for enforcing bylaws and criminal and provincial laws, maintaining order and preventing crime.

A police board sets the priorities, goals and objectives of its police department and develops the annual police department budget. The police board is responsible for service and policy complaints related to its police department. It also receives complaints against the Chief and Deputy Chief Constables. The board strives for a fair and responsive interaction between police and the community.

The goal of the province and municipalities is to have police boards that reflect community demographics and that consist of qualified people who have shown they can act in the best public interest.

Qualifications of Police Board Members

Appointments are governed by the overriding principle of selection based on merit. This is an objective assessment of the fit between the skills and qualifications of the prospective candidate and the needs of the board. Prospective board members must meet the following qualifications:

• Residence and/or business interests in the municipality served by the board
• Willingness to submit to a criminal record review and personal interview
• Knowledge about, and interest in, the community
• Ability to understand the complexities of policing
• Commitment to protecting fairness, avoiding conflict of interest and maintaining neutrality and objectivity
• Willingness, ability and availability to meet time-commitments related to board duties
• Ability to work with a variety of situations, groups and people
• Ability to deal with difficult and complex interpersonal situations
• Willingness to contribute to consensual solutions

Applications must include information such as name, community, contact information, education, profession or occupation, current employment, employment history, community service, references, reason for seeking an appointment and other relevant background or expertise.

Detailed information about the appointment process and conduct guidelines for B.C. boards and agencies can be found at the Board Resourcing and Development Office website – http://www.lcs.gov.bc.ca/BRDO/.

Questions and Answers

Who appoints police board members?

Members of municipal police boards are appointed by the Provincial Cabinet.

How are police board members selected?

Municipal appointees: Municipalities solicit and receive names of interested and suitable individuals and provide a short-list to the province. The province reviews applications, completes a personal profile and does a criminal record review. Names are forwarded to the Solicitor General who consults with the chair of the police board (the Mayor) to identify the candidate to be appointed by Cabinet.

Provincial appointees: The province solicits and receives names of interested and suitable individuals. The province reviews applications, completes a personal profile and does a criminal record review. Names are forwarded to the Solicitor General who consults with the chair of the police board (the Mayor) to identify the candidates to be appointed by Cabinet.

Names of people interested in serving on police boards are obtained through advertising, recommendations, referrals, searches and other means.

How long do police board members serve?

Appointments are initially for 1 year; they can be renewed for 2 years and renewed again for 3 years, for maximum 6-year term. Beginning in 2002, terms will begin and expire on June 30th each year.

What time commitment is involved?

Police boards usually meet every month. In addition, members may be asked to sit on sub-committees such as finance or human resources. They may also participate in panels or attend other meetings to deal with specific issues.

Larger police services such as Vancouver may require significant time (more than 20 hours per month) of its board members.

Are board members paid?

There is no remuneration for police board members. Board members serve as volunteers. However, some expenses are covered.

How do I apply?

Applications for police board membership can be made by mail to:

Director, Police Services
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
PO Box 9285, Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, B.C. V8W 9J7

Applications can also be faxed to 250-356-7747 or sent by e-mail to SGPoliceBoard@gov.bc.ca

What is the role of the Office of Police Complaint Commissioner?

The British Columbia Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner is an independent agency established under the Police Act as an oversight body to public complaints against the police. The Office monitors complaints against municipal police to ensure they are handled fairly and impartially. The office is independent from any police department or government ministry and reports directly to the Legislature. The website of the Office of the Police Public Complaints Commissioner at www.opcc.bc.ca has more information.

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