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Jury makes 12 recommendations following inquest into Vancouver officer's suicide

Among the recommendations is that all VPD officers receive mandatory yearly psychological check-ins regardless of rank or department

Jennifer Chan (front centre), the sister of late Vancouver Police Const. Nicole Chan, who died by suicide in 2019, at the coroner's inquest, in Burnaby on Jan. 23, 2023.
Jennifer Chan (front centre), the sister of late Vancouver Police Const. Nicole Chan, who died by suicide in 2019, at the coroner's inquest, in Burnaby on Jan. 23, 2023. Photo by DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN PRESS

A coroner’s jury has made a dozen recommendations for the B.C. government and Vancouver police, including that all the department’s officers receive mandatory yearly psychological check-ins regardless of rank or what department they work in.

The unanimous recommendations from the jury follow seven days of testimony at the inquest into the suicide of Vancouver police Const. Nicole Chan.

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The inquest heard that Chan died in January 2019 during a mental health crisis after having relationships with two senior Vancouver officers, one of whom allegedly “extorted” her to continue a sexual relationship.

While a coroner’s jury can’t place blame, its job is to provide recommendations to prevent deaths in similar circumstances.

The jury suggested the Vancouver Police Department recognize rumours and gossip as an example of unprofessional behaviour in its respectful workplace policy, and ensure all officers attend mandatory, rigorous in-person training on that policy.

The jury also asks the minister of health to consider integrating a database containing medical records of patients who have suicidal ideations across all health authorities.

More to come …

  1. Vancouver police Const. Nicole Chan died by suicide in January 2019.

    Sister of late Vancouver police officer describes declining mental state to inquest jurors

  2. Jennifer Chan, front left, the sister of late Vancouver Police Const. Nicole Chan, who died by suicide in 2019, leaves a coroner's inquest, in Burnaby, B.C., on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023.

    VPD Const. Nicole Chan pleaded for justice in victim statement before suicide