Vancouver Police Board Faces Quota Allegations in Downtown Eastside Task Force

The Vancouver Police Board is facing a directive from British Columbia's police watchdog to investigate an officer's claim. The officer alleges that arrest quotas have been implemented as part of Mayor Ken Sim's "Task Force Barrage" initiative in the Downtown Eastside.

An anonymous email from the whistle-blower is scheduled to be discussed at the board's upcoming meeting. Accompanying the email is a letter from the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner, urging the board to take action. The commissioner's letter indicates that a complaint was received on March 8th from an officer who characterized Task Force Barrage as a politically driven crackdown, alleging the setting of quotas by those in charge.

The whistle-blower's email, though partially redacted, includes a statement expressing concern over the perceived devaluation of officers' discretion. The email states that officers were once taught they could decide whether to charge people, but now, quotas are being set.

In response, police spokesperson Sgt. Steve Addison did not directly address the quota allegations. He stated the police's unwavering commitment to their work in the Downtown Eastside, emphasizing the positive results of Task Force Barrage. He highlighted 314 warrant arrests made since the task force's inception in February, and a 17% decrease in violent crimes during the first three months of 2025 compared to the previous year.

The police watchdog has outlined the legal obligations of the board, which include initiating an investigation or study, requesting Chief Adam Palmer to launch an investigation, dismissing the complaint with justification, or taking any other appropriate action. The commissioner's letter also mentioned an allegation against a specific officer, but it was deemed inadmissible.

Mayor Sim initiated the task force with the stated goal of dismantling organized crime networks and targeting predatory criminals in the Downtown Eastside. Sgt. Addison affirmed the police's commitment to continuing the task force's efforts.

Vancouver Councillor Sean Orr has called on Mayor Sim to uphold integrity and ensure the separation of police work from political influence. Orr commended the officer for raising concerns and emphasized the importance of protecting whistleblowers from potential repercussions.