The Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Justice and Public Safety, today introduced proposed legislation to amend the RNC Act, to replace the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Public Complaints Commission and establish a new process relating to police misconduct.

The new Act would replace the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Public Complaints Commission and establish a process relating to complaints of misconduct regarding RNC officers. The Law Enforcement Oversight Commission Act received second reading in the House of Assembly earlier today.

The Act would have new processes, with clearer timelines, ensuring greater transparency and efficiency for all complaints relating to RNC police discipline.

The Act provides for:

• Improved oversight of police discipline by an independent commission
• Initiation of an investigation without a complaint to address any systemic issues within the RNC.
• Publishing de-identified summaries of investigations, making the system more open and transparent.
• Establishing an appeal panel hearing that would be open to the public.
• Complainants to benefit from the assistance of a support person, who can assist with making a complaint on behalf of someone else, and,
• The process of making a complaint more accessible to the public.

This Act is a recommendation that comes from the Policing Transformation Working Group within the Department of Justice and Public Safety and feedback they received during consultations over the past year.

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“Police officers hold a unique position of trust within the community and in order to maintain public trust in the agency, it is important that the matter of discipline have adequate civilian oversight. This proposed legislation establishes a clear, efficient and more transparent process for all complaints relating to police discipline. It will create a greater openness and transparency for the public and increased public confidence in the RNC.”
Honourable Bernard Davis
Minister of Justice and Public Safety

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