Vancouver Police to shop out analysis of riot videos videos

tiffiant

Vancouver Police to shop out analysis of riot videos



Faced with taking two years to analyze more than 1,600 hours of video footage in order to identify those involved in the Stanley Cup riots, the Vancouver Police will spend $160,000 to have the job done in about three weeks by experts at the University of Indianapolis.

Police Chief Jim Chu announced Wednesday that the 50-member riot-investigation team will be working with the non-profit Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Video Association (LEVA) at the National Digital Multimedia Evidence Processing Lab at the University of Indianapolis.

Sgt. Dale Weidman, who is in charge of the riot-investigation team, said using the processing lab could save the department millions of dollars in officers’ time.

So far only two riot-related charges have been laid, both stemming from a stabbing incident. Chu said the police have identified 268 suspects — an increase of 15 per cent over last month.

A total of 41 people have turned themselves in or been brought in by their parents, Chu said.

However, in some cases people have confessed to minor crimes when further investigation shows they were involved in more serious offences.

“Rushing these people into court without a full examination of all the evidence would produce weak cases with acquittals, bad case law and little or no penalties,” said Chu.

“Our diligence and thoroughness will ensure that we lay the highest number of charges and obtain the greatest number of convictions with the most severe penalties,” he said.

tiffiant

“Even though we acknowledge the frustration of those who wish these suspects were already in jail — and we share your frustration — there are many reasons why we must proceed at this pace,” said Chu.

“If you are in favour of speed you are in favour of more acquittals and lighter sentences. If we rush cases to court we risk losing them by being ineffective and inefficient,” he said.

Chu said it would be wrong to compare Canada’s criminal-justice system to that of Britain, which has been wracked by a series of riots beginning Aug. 6.

Two men who tried unsuccessfully to incite rioting in their hometowns using Facebook have already been charged, convicted and jailed.

“Some of you wonder why we can’t act as quickly here as the police and courts appear to be acting in Britain,” said Chu.

“The short answer is: Canada is not Britain. Our laws are different, our courts are different and our riots are different,” he said.

Chu said the police will soon launch a website dedicated to the riot, which will keep the public informed on the progress of the investigation.

The site will include pictures of 150 new suspects and will display videos of suspects the police are seeking the public’s help in identifying.

tiffiant

Police Chief Jim Chu announced Wednesday that the 50-member riot-investigation team will be working with the non-profit Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Video Association (LEVA) at the National Digital Multimedia Evidence Processing Lab at the University of Indianapolis


Vancouver Police Chief Jim Chu says an integrated team of 50 police officers and civilian experts investigating the Stanley Cup riot has reviewed 4,300 email tips and 1,500 hours of video.