Fiona Wilson, the chief of Victoria’s police department, has changed her stance on drug decriminalization in British Columbia. Initially a supporter of decriminalization of personal possession of small amounts of drugs in 2023, Wilson now opposes the pilot program, which is set to end this month. She emphasizes that despite the program’s end, she does not anticipate a surge in arrests, as police already regained intervention powers 20 months ago.
Wilson highlights the challenges police faced during the decriminalization period, such as concerning instances of public drug consumption where officers had limited ability to intervene. Following advocacy from law enforcement, the provincial government amended the exemption to federal drug legislation in 2024, granting police more authority to intervene in specific settings, including private homes, shelters for the homeless, and designated health-care clinics.
Despite her shift in perspective, Wilson clarifies that police are unlikely to arrest individuals for simple drug possession in private residences or supervised consumption sites post-decriminalization. She stresses that such circumstances would be extremely rare, emphasizing that police lack grounds for such arrests in most scenarios.
Reflecting on her testimony to a federal parliamentary committee in 2024, Wilson expressed the challenges police encountered in dealing with problematic drug use, citing instances where current laws posed limitations on enforcement in public spaces. She emphasized the need for clarity and practical solutions in addressing drug-related issues.