Arson, assault prompt call for better protections for B.C. road safety officers

The union representing commercial vehicle safety and enforcement (CSVE) officers across British Columbia is calling for legislated safety improvements.

This, after a CVSE officer was allegedly assaulted last Thursday in Kamloops, following an apparent arson attack on a CVSE facility in Prince George in December.

B.C. General Employees' Union President Paul Finch says the province lags behind other parts of Canada when it comes to protecting the people in charge of road safety.

"The government needs to step in and examine specifically the occupational health and safety requirements and functions of other provinces brought in for people doing the same function," he said.

"There's a whole range from the communication devices that CVSE members have to their use of force options to their working alone or in tandem protocol. And they can implement those things here."

RCMP investigating

The call comes as Kamloops RCMP are investigating an assault reported shortly before noon in the 2600 block of the Trans Canada Highway West. 

They've confirmed a man was arrested and released with charge recommendations pending.

Finch says the victim of Thursday's attack was not seriously hurt but said, "This is part of a broader disturbing trend of intimidation, harassment, threats, and a lot of near misses on the job."

He pointed to a suspicious fire in December at a weigh scale facility in Prince George as another example of aggressive behaviour targeting CVSE officers.

"We believe that was likely targeted arson, and it just shows a broader pattern here of hostility," he said.

In that case, police say the facility was burned in an apparent arson attack that happened Christmas Eve along Highway 97 in Red Rock, just south of Prince George.

Two pickup trucks were seen leaving shortly afterwards, but responders could not record any licence plate information.

Around the same time, a nearby shipping container was spray-painted with the words, "Good job, Mcreadie," which police said is believed to be connected to several recent impaired driving investigations and was likely related to the fire.

Finch said the incidents are a demonstration of the sort of hostility his members are facing.

"We need the government to come in and bring in some protection, some health and safety protections that are going to ensure that our members are able to do the job to keep our road safe," he said.