Police officers, the general public and city council all have a poor grasp on the role of the Vancouver Police Board, says a report going before the board Wednesday.
In its annual self-evaluation, the seven-member board unanimously agreed the public was the least knowledgeable of the three groups. "The board continues to consider that public awareness and understanding of its role is limited," said the report authored by board member Patti Marfleet.
Only one board member, or 17 per cent, agreed that Vancouver Police Department officers and city council have a good understanding of the board's role, said the report, which doesn't identify the board members. While lack of knowledge by the public and others doesn't affect the board's operation, it has been a sore point for board members, who have regularly expressed their dismay at public meetings.
The board has a website which features its members and provides a description of its role as it relates to the operation of the VPD, which publishes an annual report with similar information. The board's connection to the public has diminished, however, since it stopped holding meetings last year at community centres and other public venues because of costs, logistics and security. All meetings are now held at the Cambie Street station, where visitors must check in at the front desk and be escorted by an officer to a boardroom.
The board is a powerful body, responsible for overseeing the VPD's finances, setting policy, answering policy and service complaints and is tasked with hiring and evaluating the chief.
Mayor Gregor Robertson doubles as chairperson of the board, which includes a lawyer, a former MP, business people and a member of the Musqueam Band. Robertson, however, has previously told the Courier he would prefer not to continue as board chair because of the inherent conflict in his role as a politician who approves budgets for the VPD.
The report going before the police board acknowledged Robertson's concern, saying it recognizes "both advantages and disadvantages" to his dual role. "This is not a criticism of the chair as an individual and, indeed, awareness of this issue and the attention paid to it this year has led to increased satisfaction with the chair's role in keeping members abreast of developments," the report said.
The police board requested in November 2008 that the provincial government revise the Police Act to prevent the mayor from continuing as chairperson.
In an Aug. 24 letter to the board, Solicitor General Shirley Bond said there wasn't enough time in the legislative timetable to consider the amendment. It's unclear whether the provincial government will consider changes to the Police Act in the next sitting of the legislature. The board also wants to add additional members.
Robertson was unavailable for comment when the Courier contacted his office Monday. A recommendation going before the board Wednesday requests a change to the policy that states Robertson be the only spokesperson for the police board. The recommendation calls for media inquiries to the board office be directed to Robertson, an "appropriate board spokesperson" or answered by the board's executive director, Shona McGlashan.
Wednesday's board meeting begins at 1 p.m.
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