Nelson police will update some of their sexual assault investigation practices after a provincially mandated review identified several areas for improvement, despite finding the cases handeled were investigated thoroughly.
Chief Donovan Fisher told the Nelson Police Board this month that a review committee examined sexual assault investigations that did not result in charges between Jan. 1, 2024 and Dec. 31, 2025.
“Overall the review was positive, and the consensus was that the investigations were thorough and complete,” he said. “No files were identified specifically as needing follow-up or additional investigation.”
However, the review found the department should strengthen its trauma-informed practices by conducting more interviews in comfortable settings when possible. It also recommended increasing supervisory oversight throughout investigations and documenting safety plans for victims more consistently.
The committee also recommended the department use specially trained investigators for sexual assault files when possible and continue building investigative expertise within the department.
Fisher said Deputy Chief Jason Jewkes will oversee the policy changes.
“Some areas were identified where there could be improvements going forward by implementing some best practices or minor policy updates that could be made to improve the investigations,” he said.
“The deputy chief is overseeing those updates to our policies and ensuring any directives that came out of the review are implemented in a timely fashion.”
According to the committee’s report, the Nelson Police Department received 50 reports of sexual assault during the two-year review period. In 11 of those cases, charges were recommended, while five were classified as unfounded.
Mayor Janice Morrison asked Fisher whether sexual assault and domestic violence cases are increasing locally.
“Domestic violence seems to be on an uptick nationwide and I’m just wondering where Nelson sits on a year-over-year basis?” asked Morrison.
Fisher said he could not speak to the statistics but believes Nelson appears to be following the national trend.
“Without having the numbers right offhand here, I think we’re probably more or less trending the same as the rest of the country,” he said.
He said increased awareness and reporting may be contributing factors.
“I don’t have anything specifically factually necessarily to back this up, but my sense is that it’s being reported more,” he said.
“I do feel like there’s a little more awareness and a little more confidence in people coming forward to the police to get help with it.”
The policy review committee included representatives from Nelson Community Services, Nelson Victim Services and the Nelson Police Department.
The committee is scheduled to meet again in 18 months.
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