Former conservation officer's report cites erosion of public trust in wildlife law enforcement

Former conservation officer BryceCasavant is calling for changes to wildlife law enforcement agencies in the hopes of strengthening public trust in the B.C. Conservation Officer Service.

Casavant made headlines for refusing to kill two bear cubs in Port Hardy in 2015. That decision led to his suspension, followed by international attention.

He recently released a report looking at public perceptions of law enforcement officers responding to wildlife complaints and where improvements could be made to improve trust.

• Conservation officer suspended for refusing to kill bear cubs
• Bryce Casavant, who refused to kill bear cubs, removed from conservation service

"Members of the public are witnessing actions in their communities that they are perceiving as inappropriate behaviour," Casavant said. "How we deal with that, as not only a society but as a government body, is very important."

The killing of wildlifeby either an RCMP officer or a conservation officer reduces public trust in thatagency, he told CBC host of All Points West Jason D'Souza.

The report, part of Casavant's research for a doctoral program with Royal Roads University, is an analysis of a survey conducted by the polling firm Insights West.

"Sometimes, wildlife will have to be destroyed as a result of public safety risks but what the data is showing ... and what is concerning is where the public is perceiving lethal force actions on animals as highly inappropriate," he said.

Public expectations

Casavant'srecommendations includethird-party oversight of the Conservation Officer Service, training on how to manage public expectations and a review of internal policies.

"I don't think it's appropriate to have policy that is not reflective of public expectation," he said.

Casavant is not the only one to think so.

The Association for the Protection of Fur-Bearing Animals, a non-profit animal protection group, is appealing a B.C. Supreme Court judgement that conservation officers have discretion when destroying wild animals.

The group filed a petition after a black bear cub was killed by a conservation officer near Dawson Creek in May 2016

• Wildlife group challenges B.C.'s interpretation of law on destroying bears

"What we are looking for is a better understanding of how and when a conservation officer can kill an animal and what is the check list in place," said Lesley Fox, executive director of the group.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of the Environment told CBCthat conservation officers are guided by provincial wildlife policy, as well as their experience and expertise, to make decisions in the field.

Using lethal means would be thelast resort, the ministry said.

"The primary mandate of the B.C. Conservation Officer Service is public safety and part of that, I think, requires public trust," Fox said. "For us to trust the Conservation Officer Service I think we need some accountability and more transparency."

To hear more, click on the audio link below:

With files from All Points West and George Baker.