Fewer than 500 police officers found themselves dealing with a crowd of 155,000 hockey fans and troublemakers much more quickly than they expected, a review of the Stanley Cup riot has found.
Police started out with 446 officers on the streets of downtown Vancouver on June 15, and had 928 on duty by the time the situation was brought under control, stated a report issued Thursday by two reviewers appointed by the B.C. Liberal government.
Unlike the 1994 riot, police from different cities were able to communicate, but due to a lack of practice working together, there was still confusion, the report noted. Another difference from 1994 was the expansion of SkyTrain service, which rapidly delivered many more people to the downtown core.
The police "meet-and-greet" technique that was effective during similar downtown gatherings at the Olympics in February could not function because of the size and early arrival of the crowd, said Doug Keefe, the former Nova Scotia deputy minister who conducted the review along with former Vancouver Olympic CEO John Furlong.
Premier Christy Clark said she is as frustrated as anyone that more charges haven't been laid, but added police are trying to be as thorough as possible.
"It was those drunken louts who caused this problem. It wasn't police; it wasn't other citizens. It was them."
Only two charges were laid as of this week against rioters. Vancouver Police launched a website Tuesday with pictures to help the public identify offenders caught by the many cameras that were used the night of the riot. Vancouver Police Department Chief Jim Chu said he wants a full review of 1,600 hours of video and other evidence, so people who committed major offences don't get off with lesser punishment.
NDP public safety critic Kathy Corrigan said the province needs to help fund the regional event security recommended by the report. Corrigan said Chu is wrong that people can't be charged with additional offences if new evidence comes forward.
Police asked City of Vancouver officials to make the outdoor gathering a ticketed event and check everyone for alcohol, but there wasn't time to organize that, Keefe said. And the 100,000 people who massed in the streets outside the live site led to the congestion and confusion that allowed looting and vandalism to continue for several hours.
The report makes 53 recommendations to prevent or contain future incidents, including having the RCMP and Vancouver Police tactical squads train together. Police and fire services across the region should have a clear framework for covering major regional events.
There is no indication that a new regional police service would help, the reviewers said.