Accountability and law enforcement – First Nations Perspectives from Northern BC

In terms of this new police oversight Independent Investigations Office in the north we are cautiously optimistic. We understand the importance of oversight but it has to be something that has legitimacy; that can be reached and accessed in the far north, in rural communities. We understand there is an office open in Surrey and that’s a step in the right direction but we need to have access to that in the rural communities. We need to look back at the relationship between police and Aboriginal people. Will this office be accessible to First Nations in the north? Will this office stand up for First Nations when they are in conflict with and harmed by the RCMP? (…)