VANCOUVER – An internal review by the Vancouver police says the department’s response to the Stanley Cup riot was justified and insists there was no way to know trouble was brewing in the city’s downtown.
The police report is the third review to be released so far, and repeats the force’s claims that there was nothing it could have done to prevent the riot that followed the Vancouver Canucks’ loss to the Boston Bruins June 15.
It also suggests the city should make changes when it holds large-scale public events to ensure there is a way to control who can attend or how many people can gather in one spot.
An independent review released last week painted a picture of a confused, overwhelmed police force that was slow to react as the alcohol-fuelled crowds gathered to watch the game on giant outdoor screens.
The police report says the department had absolutely no information it would be facing a potential riot once the game ended and no way for the force to know the crowds downtown would reach more than 150,000 people.
An executive summary distributed in advance of the report’s release suggests that Vancouver police and other forces throughout the region need better training, should work on improving their co-ordination and should be using the same equipment.
Local news from metronews.ca/vancouver
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