B.C.’s Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner (OPCC) has begun a “systemic investigation” into how municipal police departments handle cases of sexual misconduct involving officers.

The OPCC said workplace-related sexual misconduct is a recurring issue in Police Act investigations, with cases ranging from inappropriate communications to sexual assault, often involving significant power imbalances.

It said in an announcement of the probe Wednesday that some cases raise concerns about “predatory behaviours” by officers in positions of authority.

The office said systemic investigations allow the agency to “examine broader patterns, risks, and practices in policing,” rather than individual incidents of police misconduct.

Police complaint commissioner Prabhu Rajan said in a statement that sexual misconduct “can compromise operational effectiveness, perpetuate systemic barriers to gender equality in policing, and erode public trust.”

He added that such conduct is “fundamentally incompatible” with the ethical standards expected of police.

The OPCC said the probe is the first systemic investigation initiated since an amendment to the Police Act in 2024 enabled the agency to do so. 

The investigation, the OPCC said, aims to support police officers by advancing best practices, fair reporting processes and safer workplaces that protect professionalism, well-being and trust among members.

The commissioner’s office said it expects to release its investigation report in April 2027.