Date: February 18, 2026

Vancouver Police Board Public Statement

The Review on the Record – OPCC File No. 2020-17317

On January 14, 2020, the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner (“OPCC”) initiated an investigation pursuant to ss. 93(1)(a) and 93(1)(b)(ii) of the Police Act into the conduct of two Vancouver Police Department (“VPD”) Constables (the “Members”) in relation to the arrest and detention of Maxwell Johnson, Jr. and his granddaughter (the “Complainants”), at the Bank of Montreal in downtown Vancouver on December 20, 2019 (the “Incident”).

The OPCC appointed retired judge Brian M. Neal as Discipline Authority and on March 27, 2022 Mr. Neal rendered his decision on disciplinary and corrective measures ordering that the Members serve two and three day suspensions, respectively, undergo cultural Indigenous perspective and de-escalation training, prepare and deliver written apologies to the Complainants in a form and content approved by Mr. Neal, and to convey the Members’ offer to meet with the Complainants to hear their concerns and to offer oral apologies at a time and manner agreeable to the parties (the “Apology Order”).

In addition to apologizing to the Complainants on scene at the time of the Incident, during the Discipline Proceedings the Members offered apologies to the Complainants, and provided written apologies to the Complainants, approved by Mr. Neal in April 2022. As of October 2023, the Members completed all other disciplinary and corrective measures set out in Mr. Neal’s decision.

On May 27, 2022, the OPCC issued a Conclusion of Proceeding finding that it was not in the public interest to order a public hearing or a review on the record and concluded the matter.

On January 22, 2026, the OPCC issued a Notice of Review on Record (“ROR”) and appointed retired judge Wally Oppal, KC, as the adjudicator. The stated purpose of the ROR is to review Mr. Neal’s decision on the narrow issue of whether the Members can be ordered to provide a public in-person apology to the Complainants, and if so, on what terms.

The Board is the employer of the two Members and has taken all necessary steps to ensure that all of Mr. Neal’s corrective measures have been addressed.

The members have been subject of targeted and negative media attention since the incident and recently as January 2026. The combined effects of ongoing Police Act process and publicity associated with the matter, has had a significant negative impact on the members’ physical and mental health, personal and family relationships and professional careers. The Board as the employer of the department is committed to ensuring the wellbeing of its members as well as the community.

The Board and the Members are committed and have made significant and sustained efforts towards reconciliation, relationship-building, and respectful engagement with Indigenous communities and indigenous rightsholders.

The Board remains focused on strengthening the VPD’s Indigenous relations, and advancing meaningful engagement and relationships with its Indigenous partner communities through the ongoing work of its UNDRIP Implementation Task Group.

This matter is now fully resolved, and the file is concluded by the Board.

Frank Chong
Chair, Vancouver Police Board

Link to Letter