New Police Complaint Commissioner appointed by PG-Mackenzie MLA, special committee

A Northern BC MLA, in conjunction with a group of selected politicians, has put forward a new commissioner to deal with complaints against BC police.

Mike Morris and four other elected politicians have appointed Clayton Pecknold to take over the Police Complaint Commissioner after a report will be read before the Victoria Legislature in February next year.

The duties of the complaints commissioner are as quoted in the committee’s report:

• Establishing a process for receiving, handling, investigating, & reporting complaints
• Developing and providing outreach programs & services to inform and educate the public on the police complaint process
• Making recommendations for improvements to the police complaint process
• Does not have jurisdiction over complaints of misconduct involving RCMP officers

The position was created in 1998, lasted for six years, and then amended in 2009.

Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Morris is the deputy chair of the special committee who recommended Pecknold.

“Members were impressed by his forward-looking approach and perspective to policing and public accountability, and appreciated his dual background in law and policing,” explained the former Public Safety Minister in a statement.

“We would also like to acknowledge and thank current commissioner Stan Lowe for his service as police complaint commissioner over the last 10 years.”

Originally from Vancouver, Pecknold joined the RCMP in 1986, holds a law degree from Dalhousie University, and has worked in several provinces with the force.

For more details on the position and a full report, you can click here.