B.C.'s child advocate has raised concerns about group homes using police to help them manage or discipline children in care.
B.C. Representative for Children and youth Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond is preparing a special report on the issue after an 11-year-old boy living in a group home-like setting was Tasered by Prince George RCMP on April 7.
"In reviewing this particular incident, I became concerned about the wider issue of police being called by group home staff to attend and act as a disciplinarian of sorts," Turpel-Lafond said in a press release. "The incidents are numerous, and aren't related to criminal activity by the child or youth. Instead, police would attend when staff wanted help with behaviour concerns - like children not wanting to come into the house, go to their bedroom or be put in a quiet room in a group home."
In the case in Prince George, police were called after the 11-year-old boy allegedly stabbed a 37-year-old man at a special housing unit. The boy was the only client living at the housing unit, with two staff with him at all times.
In a previous interview with the Citizen, Turpel-Lafond said she was concerned about the circumstances which lead up to the boy stabbing someone, then being Tasered by a police officer.
"When dealing with particularly vulnerable children in the care of the government, serious issues arise if staff are not properly trained to deal with challenging behaviours and instead are using police to bring kinds into line when criminal activity isn't involved," she said in the press release. "I'm aware this may be an issue not only in the northern region, but possibly in other areas of B.C. as well, and this demands a thorough examination."
The special report will also look at if placements in specializes housing resources are appropriate.
The B.C. Representative for Children and Youth's mandate does not authorize her to investigate a case until police and criminal justice proceedings are completed. Currently the Tasering incident is being investigated by a pair of officers from the West Vancouver Police Department. The West Vancouver Police Department was asked to conduct the investigation independent of the RCMP.
"The representative will continue to closely monitor the situation and when the other matters are complete, will make a decision about proceeding with a Representative for Children and Youth investigation into the specifics of government services and supports provided to the boy," Turpel-Lafond said in a press release.
Turpel-Lafond is not taking calls regarding the special report. A spokesperson for the West Vancouver Police could not be reached as of press time to comment.
However, B.C. RCMP spokesman Insp. Tim Shields said police screen calls and only respond to calls when a crime has been, or is likely to be, committed.
"We have a filtering process before a police officer is dispatched to the scene," Shields said. "The dispatcher has to make sure an offense has been committed or there may be an offense committed. We don't have the time or capacity to attend calls for service unless there is an offense being committed."
Shields said police get calls every day for a wide variety to reasons, but must prioritize their time to maximize public safety.
"Certainly if it's a call that my child is not going to bed... no police officer is being sent out to that call," he said.
