Police Chief Jim Chu says hes confident several hundred people will be charged in connection with the Stanley Cup riot.
Chu made the statement Wednesday as he updated the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Police Board about the investigation into the June 15 riot that erupted downtown after the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Canucks lost to the Boston Bruins in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final.
We will have charges, said the chief from the Cambie Street police precinct. Im confident that several hundred people will be charged. I want to emphasize that we dont want to rush to justice. It would not serve the public interest if somebody was brought before the courts and then we had to bring them back for a second offence or a third offence.
As the Courier reported July 11, it could take at least two months before Crown prosecutors approve charges against any of the people who allegedly committed criminal acts during the riot.
The approach of the investigation team is to review all evidence, which includes 1,500 hours of video and 15,000 images, and proceed with all charges against an individual at one time.
So far, 37 people turned themselves in to police 30 males, seven females. Nine are from Surrey, seven from Vancouver, four from Maple Ridge and three from Burnaby. Others are from the Lower Mainland and one each from Victoria, Tofino, Comox and Westbank.
An additional 111 people are under investigation for criminal acts relating to the riot. There are literally hundreds more who were identified and will become the subject of an investigation in the coming months.
Crimes being investigated include participating in a riot, assault, assaulting a police officer, mischief, break and enter, theft, robbery, arson, weapons offences and possession of stolen property.
The Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Police Department is continuing its internal review of the riot and a preliminary report is expected to be turned over in early August to the B.C. government-ordered independent review team, co-chaired by Douglas Keefe and John Furlong.
Chu revealed that two members of the Ottawa Police Service, who are experts in crowd control, are working on behalf of the government review. Keefe, a former Nova Scotia deputy justice minister, and Furlong, the former head of VANOC, are expected to complete their review by Aug. 31.
Wednesdays meeting marked the first time since the riot that Chu and Mayor Gregor Robertson, who is chairperson of the police board, met publicly to discuss the riot. Despite the riot falling under Chus watch, the mayor and board members praised the chief and his officers for getting the riot under control in three hours.
Your leadership Chief Chu, I think it was outstanding in the face of very great danger, the mayor said.
Board member Jason McLean said he was troubled and quite saddened by the riot but added that he was proud to be associated to the VPD after witnessing the professionalism and restraint of the officers.
Without presupposing the results of the various reviews that are underway, which we intend to take extremely seriously and cooperate with fully, I think that needs to be said, McLean told the chief. I just want to express complete confidence in your leadership and the way that you and the executive have steered the ship through what has been obviously a challenging time.
NPA Coun. Suzanne Anton spoke at the meeting after requesting five minutes to address the police board. Her presence was believed to be unprecedented since a city councillor hasnt addressed the board in recent memory.
Anton is running for mayor against Robertson, who accused her in previous council meetings this month of political grandstanding for her questioning around the riot and blaming the mayor for the mayhem.
Anton took a less accusatory approach in her speech to the police board. She outlined suggestions for any future plans around the Canucks playoffs.
They were:
All plans for a Stanley Cup playoff celebration the city is involved in must be debated and approved by city council before being implemented.
Be clear that the mayor and as chairperson of the police board has overall responsibility and accountability.
The mayor needs to lead daily briefings in advance and during the Stanley Cup Final for the public and the media. In addition to providing important public safety information, the briefings will be an opportunity to answer questions, highlight celebrations throughout the region and reassure the public that mistakes of the past wont be repeated.
Clarify the use of downtown surveillance cameras, both for the Stanley Cup Final and in general.
Starting immediately, engage regional colleagues and the provincial government in establishing a more comprehensive, coordinated, regional police unit focused on security planning for large special events.
Have the police board assist the city with advocacy to the Canucks owners and the provincial government for financial assistance during the playoffs.
Reporters asked Chu after the meeting what he thought of Antons suggestions.
Councillor Anton started her remarks by stating she was running for mayor, and Im going to refrain from commenting in an election campaign, the chief said.
The civic election is November 19.
Twitter: @Howellings
