Guns on Transit: Complaints Against Skypigs Increase

Well, this is a big surprise! Since being issued firearms in December of 2005, complaints against members of the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Police Service (a.k.a. “Skypigs”) have dramatically increased.

According to a local report, between January 1 and December 4, 2005, during the period before the skypigs were issued firearms, there were only 4 complaints, all for alleged “abuse of authority” (averaging 1 complaint every three months). However, in the period between December 5, 2005 to November 27, 2008, after getting their guns, there was an average of 1.5 complaints per month against the transit cops, for a total of 52 complaints. Of these, most (33) alleged “abuse of authority”, 16 claimed “discreditable conduct”, six alleged “neglect of duty”, two cited “deceit”, and seven alleged “improper off duty conduct”, according to Transit Police Chief K.E. Allen.

When Translink announced that they would be forming a full-fledged police force armed with Glock semi-automatic handguns, many questioned the wisdom of giving guns to people working in crowded train platforms and stations. However, the increase in public complaints, along with the already abusive behavior of the old “Special Constables”, suggests that the guns have served as “shields” behind which the Skypigs may use their pepper spray, steel batons, handcuffs, fists & boots (and now tasers) to torment “non-compliant” and “uncooperative” members of the transit-riding public.

Even before they got their firearms, Translink “Special Constables” had earned a reputation for brutality and abuse. Almost all of the SC’s were, in fact, retired members of the RCMP or Vancouver Police (or, as one transit activist said, “big, middle aged, white guys with moustaches and attitudes"). With their new powers, they are now free to behave like “real cops”.

So what was the outcome of these 52 complaints? The majority were either “unsubstantiated” (20) or "summarily dismissed" (6). The remainder were either “substantiated” or “informally resolved” (six each). Two were withdrawn.