Transit Cops skip Public Enquiry

The GVTA Police department, which last month was defending it's use of tasers against suspected fare evaders, yesterday skipped a scheduled appearance before a public enquiry looking into inappropriate police use of tasers against non-violent suspects.

The GVTA Police contend that appearing before a public enquiry could compromise a Police Complaints Commission enquiry currently under way. This excuse does “not make sense” according to the BC Civil Liberties Association.

“This public enquiry was called in order to investigate the very policies the GVTA Police admit to using, their blatant disregard of the public process highlights the flaw of having private police forces in the first place.” said BCMP Spokesman Jacob Hunter, “The GVTA Police force should be suspended pending a public review of their activities”.

The GVTA Police are the only armed transit police force in the country, they are also the only police force in BC not under civilian control. The province has indicated that it intends to turn the GVTA Police over to civilian control by June 30th but critics believe the province will further delay changes to the GVTA Police board.

The Translink police force has 4 times over the past 10 months used tasers against non-aggressive, non-compliant persons, risking the lives of individuals for failing to pay a $2.50 transit fare. The force argues that the weapons are non-lethal and should be classed in the same manner as batons or pepper-spray. They further assert that there have been no complaints to Translink regarding the use of taser weapons, the records in question are not, however, publicly available.

The taser weapons in question have been blamed for numerous deaths, with the manufacturer, Taser International, itself admitting to “potentially fatal health risks”. Taser International has paid for multiple studies showing the safety of taser weapons, although no independent studies have confirmed this. There are many questions as to the legitimacy and safety of taser weapons, which is precisely why this public enquiry was called.