Vancouver cops want tougher sentences for rioters

“I think that’s going to be the biggest driver of a change in behaviour, so people see the consequences of their actions.”

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, who chairs the police board, said 2011 was full of difficult situations for police, from the huge Stanley Cup crowds downtown and the riot to the ongoing Occupy political actions.

“We hope for interesting times, but this year has had its share of challenges,” said Robertson.

Vancouver police Supt. Daryl Wiebe reported on four reviews of the June 15 riot and said progress is being made in a number of area as police upgrade their riot capabilities, improving training and pre-planning as well as upgrading and co-ordinating communications equipment.

Wiebe reported that many of the improvements were already in place when police managed a peaceful Grey Cup football championship in November.

“We had a very proactive approach from the liquor branch. There were many applications for special liquor licences — a lot of them were denied,” he said, referring to the Grey Cup.

Vancouver Police Chief Jim Chu had a three-point explanation for the cause of the Stanley Cup riot:

“There were too many people, they arrived too early, and they were too drunk,” said Chu.