No retroactivity

The Vancouver Province, Sept. 18, 2009

Solicitor-General Kash Heed says he’s giving more power to B.C.’s Police Complaint Commissioner — but the Opposition says that doesn’t include investigating Heed.

Back in the spring, Heed was being investigated for allegedly interfering with a police investigation while he was West Vancouver police chief, but that probe ended when he resigned.

Yesterday, when Heed announced changes to the B.C. Police Act, those changes won’t involve re-investigating Heed himself.

“This legislation is a starting point for increasing police accountability in British Columbia,” Heed said.

But NDP MLA Mike Farnworth said Heed didn’t keep a promise to have himself eligible for re-investigation.

“He had the chance to reduce public cynicism,” said Farnworth.

The bill allows the complaint commissioner, who oversees complaints against 11 municipal police departments, to continue disciplinary proceedings against police officers or police chiefs, even if they resign.

Blunders, disasters and scandal:
Kash Heed graces politics with police experience