The RCMP’s federal review agency blames “significant delays” in obtaining relevant materials from the Mounties to the Regional Industrial Response Group, a task force set up to crack down on civil disobedience against pipelines in British Columbia. (C-IRG).
The Civilian Review and Complaints Commission (CRCC) has criticized B.C.’s RCMP, saying that despite regular follow-up and requests for updates, the commission has received little information or records since July 2023. There is.
“This will impact the timeline for completing the investigation,” the commission said. IFriday update.
The CRCC, an independent body set up to ensure complaints against Mounties are dealt with fairly, launched a systematic investigation into the controversial C-IRG organization in March.
The force primarily conducts tactical operations against blockades in the Wet’suwet’en Nation’s traditional unceded territory, where hereditary chiefs are opposing the construction of the $14.5 billion Coastal GasLink pipeline, and Fairy Creek. It is known for its anti-logging demonstrations.
The CRCC investigation will examine whether C-IRG’s injunction enforcement operations comply with law, policy, best practices and, where appropriate, the federal Indigenous Rights Act and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. is being evaluated.
“The CRCC recently met with the RCMP to express concerns about the delays and a future direction was agreed,” the statement said.
“There is a significant amount of material backlogged, but it is expected to arrive in the coming weeks.”
The commission said it is closely monitoring progress and will provide an update on the status of its investigation in the new year. The agency had already communicated its concerns to various stakeholders in early August.
At the time, the CRCC retained the services of Vancouver-based Turtle Island Law LLP to gather testimony from those affected. The commission now says anyone who has had contact with C-IRG can contact the law firm to request an interview.
C-IRG was created in 2017
The BC Mounties formed the organization in 2017 in the wake of a massive anti-pipeline resistance movement led by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of North Dakota, and the organization was founded in 2017 in response to a massive anti-pipeline resistance movement led by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of North Dakota. They expressed internal concerns about the possibility of similar opposition to line expansion.
Over the next six years, the unit has been criticized by indigenous leaders opposed to pipeline development, activists, academics, civil liberties groups and even the courts, but the unit faces lawsuits and In addition to multiple investigations, the company was the subject of hundreds of separate CRCC complaints.
C-IRG’s operations cost nearly $50 million in its first five years, an access to information request earlier this year revealed.
The CRCC also received over 100 individual complaints for investigation. The allegations range from excessive force, illegal tactics and unprofessional conduct to allegations of racism, discrimination and various Charter violations.
Complaints are first sent to the Mounties for investigation, and if dissatisfied, the complainant can ask the CRCC to review the findings.
John Brewer, former commander of the C-IRG and now chief of criminal operations for B.C.’s RCMP core force, told CBC. Fifth Estate In a recent episode, a valid complaint was investigated.
“Some members behaved verbally and in an unprofessional manner. They were addressed, they were definitely addressed,” Brewer said.
B.C. RCMP did not respond to requests for comment.