Province, City of Vancouver and Vancouver Police Board announce independent review board

Press Release

Posted: Jun 20th, 2011

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The Province, City of Vancouver and Vancouver Police Board today announced details of the scope of an independent review of the planning and activities that led up to, and the violence that followed, the Stanley Cup final game June 15.

The review will focus on:

The learnings from the 1994 riot and how were they integrated into the planning for the Game Seven celebrations.
The foundational elements of the Vancouver Police Department (VPD)/City plans for the event and the relationship of those plans to what transpired in the lead-up to and during the riots.
The availability of liquor at public events and the contribution this made to the events that unfolded.
Looking forward, a framework for how the City of Vancouver and the VPD work with the appropriate partners to optimize the safe, inclusive and enjoyable participation of the public in celebrations in the public spaces for which Vancouver is world-renowned.

Premier Christy Clark has committed funding for this independent review. The party who will lead it will be announced in the coming days, and will report out to the Province, City and Police Board by Aug. 31, 2011. The report will be made public.

Quotes:

Solicitor General Shirley Bond –

“Shameful acts like those seen around the world demand a tough, independent and critical eye – and that’s exactly what we expect this review to deliver. It must look back, given the events 17 years before and the many reviews that followed. And it must look forward, to ensure Vancouver reclaims its place on the world stage as a vibrant, safe city in which to celebrate, no matter the nature of the event or the size of the crowd.”

Vancouver Mayor and Police Board chair Gregor Robertson –

“The shameful acts of hundreds of people who attacked our city last Wednesday, which included a group of people intent on inciting violence, have outraged us all. It is critical to our city, to our business community, and to our citizens that we have a thorough and complete review of all aspects of the planning that went into post-Game Seven preparations. The review will also focus on Vancouver’s ability to be a city that continues to experience the full use of our vibrant public spaces to celebrate safely and responsibly.”

Vancouver Police Department Chief Const. Jim Chu –

“The VPD welcomes this review and we look forward to hearing its analysis and recommendations. Having an independent review of the events of June 15 is in the best interest of our City.”