British Columbia’s police complaint commissioner has launched an investigation into workplace-related sexualized conduct by police officers.
The Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner (OPCC) oversees complaints, investigations, and discipline involving municipal police.
Commissioner Prabhu Rajan said Wednesday the probe will be a “systemic” look at how municipal police agencies in B.C. prevent, investigate, and address sexualized conduct.
“Sexualized conduct within police workplaces may reflect problematic policing attitudes or views and can undermine how police interact with members of the public—particularly survivors of sexual or gender-based violence,” said Rajan in a statement.
The OPCC said it’s a recurring issue in investigations into police conduct, with cases ranging from inappropriate communications to sexual assault.
“Some cases raise serious concerns regarding predatory behaviours by officers in supervisory roles or positions of authority,” it said.
The OPCC said the investigation will also examine areas such as access to support and protections for victims, potential barriers to reporting sexualized conduct, and organizational culture.
The office said it will publicly release a report on the investigation’s findings and recommendations by April 2027.
B.C.’s Police Act was amended in 2024 to give the commissioner the authority to self-initiate systemic investigations.
Thirteen municipal police departments have signed onto an agreement with the commissioner to support co-operative systemic investigations.
