FAQ Group: Detention guards

The names of subject and witness detention guards will generally not be released to the public, except:

• if the subject detention guard is criminally charged, Crown Counsel will release the name of the detention guard;
• if the detention guard is involved in a fatality which is brought to a coroner’s inquest, the detention guard’s name will be made public during that process;
• if the detention guard’s name has been previously publicly released and if, after consultation with the BC Information & Privacy Commissioner, if it is determined the public interest from releasing the detention guard’s name outweighs the privacy rights of the individual; or
• if the Chief Civilian Director (CCD) deems the public interest in disclosing the person’s name outweighs the privacy interests of the person.

With the passage of Bill 17, the mandate of the IIO expanded to include the investigation of incidents of death or serious harm that may have been the result of the action or inaction of anyone who works as a detention guard in BC. This change applies to anyone working as a detention guard whether on or off duty. These changes to the Police Act include a “duty to cooperate” provision for detention guards with respect to IIO investigations.