Payam Javan: British Columbia’s Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner (OPCC) has ordered a new investigation into a disgraced former high-ranking Vancouver police detective, Jim Fisher, following a formal complaint from a sex trafficking survivor. The order for a probe into allegations of discreditable conduct signals a renewed commitment by the oversight body to address serious misconduct that undermines the integrity of the Vancouver Police Department (VPD). This action emphasizes that former officers will not be immune from accountability for past actions.
The investigation was initiated after the survivor alleged deeply disturbing conduct by Fisher, who she claims identified himself as a detective and attempted to use his perceived authority to manipulate and intimidate her. The complaint contains alarming claims, including that the former detective suggested other law enforcement members were involved in a “sex and swingers club,” an allegation that, if proven, would point to a toxic and corrupt subculture within the force.
This new probe comes at a critical time for public confidence in law enforcement across Metro Vancouver. Recent local news has also highlighted other police-related concerns, including the prolonged and perplexing disappearance of an 11-year-old Burnaby boy, a case where private investigators are openly questioning the lack of public answers from the RCMP. While unrelated to the Fisher case, the cumulative effect of these events places the region’s police services under intense public scrutiny and pressure to demonstrate competence and integrity.
For the citizens of Vancouver, the allegations against a former high-ranking officer are profoundly troubling, suggesting a major breach of public trust that extends beyond a single incident. The OPCC’s willingness to re-open the file and aggressively pursue the complaint is a necessary step toward restoring the public’s faith that the police force is committed to protecting all citizens, especially the most vulnerable, rather than exploiting them.
The outcome of this investigation will be a significant indicator of British Columbia’s commitment to police reform and accountability. The focus must be on a thorough, transparent, and unbiased process to determine the truth of the survivor’s claims. Upholding the rule of law requires holding those sworn to enforce it to the highest ethical and professional standards, irrespective of their rank or past service.
