Nearly half the police department in Nelson, B.C. under investigation: sources

The Nelson Police Department is the focus of an investigation ordered by the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner, Global News has learned.

The investigation is believed to involve nearly half of the approximately 20 officers who work there.

The Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner would not comment on details of the investigation, including whether any allegations relate to racism or involve the use of department computers.

1:53 Investigation into officer behaviour at a training session could result in a criminal investigation

John Dooley, mayor of the town in B.C.’s West Kootenay and chair of the police board, declined a request for an on-camera interview.

“The report is not complete … still under investigation … we can’t comment at this time,” he said in an email to Global News.

The department, one of the oldest municipal police departments in the province, did not respond to a request for comment.

Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth also declined to comment.