In early 2020, the Director of Police Services issued BC Provincial Policing Standards (BCPPS) on Police Stops, which includes the practice of Street Checks, in their efforts to promote unbiased policing. Street Checks are defined as a voluntary interaction, that is neither arbitrary nor random, between a police officer and a person that is more than a casual conversation, and which impedes the person’s movement. A Street Check may include a request for identifying information depending on the circumstances.
The Abbotsford Police Department fully supports the initiatives put forward by the BC Police Services Division and recognizes the responsibility of police officers to ensure that their interactions with the community members are consistent with these Policing Standards. A copy of our updated policy on Street Checks can be found here
We have taken the necessary steps to ensure our practices align with these Policing Standards, including changes in how we document our interactions with the public, which is reflected in our 2020 Street Check data below.
2019-2020 Street Check Summary
*Ethnicity data is not actively collected but can be provided by the subject on a voluntary basis or entered based on observation. Data entered in this field, based on an investigator’s observable recording of a person’s ethnicity, may be inaccurate.