Outgoing Vancouver police chief stands behind Task Force Barrage

Chief Adam Palmer affirmed the success of Task Force Barrage at a police board meeting, highlighting 459 weapon seizures and 314 arrests in the Downtown Eastside. Deputy Chief Const. Howard Chow stated the VPD received necessary resources to tackle rising policing demands, including $5 million in overtime pay. However, Vancouver City Coun. Pete Fry expressed concerns that the task force is shifting street disorder to nearby neighborhoods, citing increased incidents on Hastings Street.

Palmer acknowledged this as a common outcome of focused policing efforts, stating, “When you do a concerted effort into a certain area, you may see spill-off into other areas. ” The task force faces scrutiny from a whistleblower alleging arrest quotas, a claim Palmer refuted, asserting that no quotas exist for the initiative. Palmer emphasized his 37 years of service without encountering such practices. The whistleblower's complaint is currently with the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner, which will investigate the allegations. A comprehensive report addressing these issues is expected on June 19.