An investigation launched in 2022 into the conduct of several Vancouver Police officers in the Chelsea Poorman case is specifically looking into allegations of “Neglect of Duty,” the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner (OPCC) has confirmed.
As well, the OPCC has confirmed that the New Westminster Police Department was appointed to lead the investigation.
The commissioner now deems the release of these details to be “in the public interest.”
“While I am unable to go into details with the specifics of this case due to confidentiality provisions, the Commissioner has determined it to be in the public interest to confirm that the New Westminster Police Department has been appointed to conduct an investigation under the Police Act relating to the conduct of several Vancouver Police officers,” the OPCC told 1130 NewsRadio in a statement.
“Upon reviewing information about the circumstances of Chelsea Poorman, the OPCC initiated an investigation into the conduct of several Vancouver police officers for allegations of Neglect of Duty involving their response to a missing persons report. This investigation was initiated in 2022.”
“Neglect of Duty” has a specific disciplinary definition under B.C.’s Police Act.
Chelsea Poorman was last seen downtown in September 2020. Her body wasn’t found until April 2022. At the time, the VPD said in a statement that Poorman was found by contractors working at a vacant house near Granville and West 37th Avenue. They said they believed she had died the night she had disappeared but wasn’t discovered until 2022 because the home had been vacant for years.