PROVINCIAL STANDARDS FOR MUNICIPAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

    Municipal Police Forces Other Agencies
    Abbotsford Central Saanich Delta GVTA Kitasoo Nelson New West Oak Bay Port Moody Saanich Stl'atl'imx Tribal Police Vancouver Victoria West Vancouver Corrections RCMP Sheriffs
Part Standard                                  
A1.2.1 Written policy recognizes that the authority for the use of force is found in the Criminal Code. √ √ √ √   √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ ? 6  
A1.2.2 Written policy governs discharge of warning shots.1 √   √ √     √ √   √ ? 6 √ √ √   ? 6  
A1.2.3 Written policy governs the carrying of firearms, ammunition, and other weapons while off duty.   √ √ √   √ √ √ √ √ √   √ √   ? 6  
A1.2.4 Written policy governs the use and control of weapons and ammunition issued by the department (note: includes weapons other than firearms).2 √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
A1.2.5 Written policy establishes procedures for firearms and weapons inspections, and replacement of ammunition. √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √     √ √ √ √
A1.2.6 Written policy requires that only officer trained and demonstrating proficiency in the use of department authorized firearms or weapons be allowed to √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
carry and use such firearms or weapons (note: intended to cover use of any weapon).
A1.2.7 Written policy requires each officer to qualify at least annually with any firearm or other weapon that the officer is authorized to use (note: policy should also describe the qualifications required).3           √ √ √ √ √ √         ? 6  
A1.2.8 Written policy requires that only firearms, ammunition, and other weapons authorized by the Chief Constable be used in the performance of duty.   √ √     √ √ √ √ √ √   √   √ ? 6  
A1.2.9 Written policy requires that a written report be submitted whenever an officer, or other employee:                               ? 6  
  ● Takes action that results in injury or death of another person, including the officer or any other officer. √ √ √ √   √   √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ ? 6  
  ● Applies force through the use of a weapon. √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √  
  ● Discharges a firearm other than in training. √ √ √     √   √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ ? 6  
  ● Applies force by any means, other than routine handcuffing or low levels of restraint. √ √ √     √   √ √ √ √   √ √ √ ? 6  
A1.2.10 Written policy includes procedures for reviewing incidents in which an officer applies force by means of a weapon or firearm, lateral neck restraint, or the √ √ √ √   √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √   ? 6  
application of force, by any means, other than routine handcuffing or low-level restraint and compliance.4
A1.2.11 Written policy establishes criteria concerning the assignment of an officer whose use of force results in a death or grievous bodily harm.5 √ √ √ √   √ √ √ √ √ √         √  
A1.2.12 Written policy requires that only officers trained and demonstrating proficiency in applying the lateral neck restraint are authorized to apply this technique. √ √ √   ? 6 √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √   ? 6 ? 6
A1.2.13 Written policy requires each officer authorized to apply the lateral neck restraint, to qualify at least annually in applying this technique.   √ √   ? 6 √ √ √ √ √ √ ? 6       ? 6 ? 6
Source:  Police Services Division, Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Victoria, BC.
1  In the context of CEWs, warning shots may consist of CEW "sparking." However, the legislative requirement may not have intended that this provision apply to CEWs. 
Thus, most policies may contain provisions related to warning shots from firearms, but none contain provisions related to “warning shots” from CEWs.
2  This is a very general provision that is easily satisfied in policy by widely divergent provisions.
3  Some jurisdictions specify re-certification periods longer than one year.  No agencies list qualification standards in policy, though Nelson policy refers to (but does
not list) the standards established by the Provincial Use of Force Coordinator.
4  The checkmarked agencies require review in these circumstances, but policy is not always explicit as to the procedures to be followed during a review, and
provisions related to review vary between agencies .
5  Policies do not establish this criteria, but simply note that reassignment will be based on “established criteria.”
6  Provision may be contained in another departmental policy that the Braidwood Commission has not received (the Commission was only provided with conducted
energy weapons policies).