VPD investigating officers who posed for photos next to dead body
Vancouver Police are investigating after officers were filmed allegedly taking photos next to a dead body on February 25.
Video was shared to social media on Thursday by Instagram user @zac.news, appearing to show a VPD officer posing near a cadaver at Third Beach as a second officer takes a photo.
The person behind the camera asks the officers, “Is that a deceased person?” To which one responds, “Ya.”
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Simi Heer, VPD’s Director of Public Affairs, confirmed that officers had been called to Third Beach on Thursday morning for reports of a body on the shore.
The death was deemed to not be suspicious, but officers had to remain on scene until the coroner arrived.
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Heer told Daily Hive that the service’s Professional Standards Section had sent the minute-long clip to the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner.
She said there would be a Police Act investigation into the officer’s conduct. The status of the officers is also under review.
“I can tell you that the VPD does not condone, and strictly prohibits, officers taking photographs without an authorized purpose,” Heer said.
“We expect all of our officers and civilian professionals to act in line with the values of our organization, including integrity, compassion, accountability and respect.”
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