Jury makes 12 recommendations after inquest into Vancouver officer’s suicide

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A coroner’s jury has made a dozen recommendations after investigating the Const’s suicide. Nicole Chan, who died during a mental health crisis after having relationships with two senior officials.

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The recommendations include that all officers in the department receive mandatory annual psychological checks regardless of rank or where they work.

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During seven days of testimony, the investigation heard that Chan died on January 27, 2019, one day after leaving the hospital.

The jury heard that before Chan’s death, she accused one of the two officers of extorting money from her to continue a sexual relationship.

Evidence presented in the investigation included a letter from Chan about the victim’s impact on Sgt. David Van Patten, saying that she was sexually assaulted by him in his apartment. The letter was sent to the New Westminster police, who were investigating the allegations against Van Patten, and the inquiry heard that the Crown later declined to press charges against the officer.

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The jury heard that rumors were circulating within the department about Chan and his relationships.

Jurors suggested that the Vancouver Police Department recognize rumors and gossip as an example of unprofessional behavior in its Respect in the Workplace Policy and ensure that all officers attend rigorous and mandatory face-to-face training. about that policy.

The inquest heard that Chan had a history of mental health problems and possible suicide attempts.

In their recommendations, the jury asked the BC health minister to consider integrating a database containing medical records of suicidal patients with all health authorities.

The jury also recommended that attending physicians at the Vancouver General Hospital access and evaluation center have direct communication with paramedics, police officers and/or friends and family.

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He also suggested that the hospital make sure there is a process for attending physicians to receive phone calls from health care providers in the community.

In the letter released during the investigation, Chan detailed her distress that Van Patten had “taken advantage” of her in a “power imbalance” while she was severely depressed. Chan said she already suffered from mental health problems, but the sexual assault aggravated her condition, halted her career and affected her ability to maintain relationships.

Chan, who was on stress leave at the time, died three weeks after the letter was sent.

Van Patten was fired from the force about a year after her death. It came after a Police Act investigation concluded that four allegations of disgraceful conduct against her were substantiated.

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Sergeant Corey Bech, who described himself as a friend and mentor of Chan’s, told the inquest Monday that he believed the biggest systemic change the department could make would be mandatory mental health checks for all first responders.

Christine McLean, who works in human resources at the Vancouver Police Department, said at the inquiry Tuesday that officers in high-stress units, such as homicide and sex crimes, who are exposed to “more disturbing” experiences have a mandatory session. yearly with a psychologist. However, she noted that the visits are not mandatory for all officers.

“I think it could be a benefit for police officers to have an annual high-stress debrief with a psychologist, regardless of which unit you are in,” he said.

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The inquest heard that Chan was detained under the Mental Health Act the day before her death and taken to Vancouver General Hospital.

Bech testified that he spoke to her the night before she died and that he believed she would never return to work because human resources officers went to the hospital. Chan was also anxious about workplace gossip and angry that Van Patten was able to keep her job while she thought she would lose hers, he said.

The Chan family’s attorney, Gloria Ng, said in a statement that the family is very grateful for the hard work of the jury and the “very strongly worded recommendations.”

The family found the recommendations on psychological screening, medical records database, on-the-job training and direct communication with doctors “very impactful,” Ng said.

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“The Chan family feels the investigation gave Nicole a voice and thanks the community for their support,” she said.

“They hope that the recommendations will be seen as a call to action for the various institutions and prevent any other family from going through what they have gone through.”

Vancouver Police Chief Constable Adam Palmer called the investigation “powerful, emotional and thought-provoking.”

“Her life and career were tragically cut short, yet Nicole’s death has highlighted the importance of our conversations about mental health and police accountability. These conversations never end,” Palmer said in a statement released Wednesday.

“While we will take time to review the jury’s recommendations, we remain committed to ensuring that Nicole’s death continues to bring about positive change within law enforcement and for anyone struggling with their mental health.”

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While a coroner’s jury cannot find fault, their job is to provide recommendations to prevent deaths in similar circumstances.

Here are the 12 recommendations of the jury:

To: Vancouver General Hospital

1. Recommend that the police ensure that the treating physician has direct communication with the paramedics, police officers, and/or friends and family members present.

2. Review the physician’s ability to access historical patient information from all sources.

3. Develop a process to ensure that the treating physician can receive phone calls from health care providers in the community.

To: Police Chief, Vancouver Police Department

4. Mandatory clinical psychological interviews should be part of the hiring process for all potential police officers where the psychologist’s recommendations are considered.

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5. Ensure respectful workplace training is mandatory, rigorous, face-to-face, and regular for all ranks of police officers.

6. Specific training for promotions should include formal training in administrative management.

7. Have a HR or peer support case manager in regular contact with all employees with mental health issues, and family and/or circle of support if the employee allows, to establish and build a relationship and provide continuity of care.

8. Annual psychological check-ups with a psychologist should be mandatory for all police officers.

9. The respect in the workplace policy must recognize rumors and gossip as an example of unprofessional behavior.

10. Police officers in the human resources department must receive specific training regarding the functions of a human resources professional.

11. Make sure each section within the HR department works interdependently rather than independently of each other.

To: Minister of Health

12. Consider the integration of a specific database containing medical records of patients with suicidal ideation in all health authorities.