Support Accountability in Policing: Become a Legal Observer

Pivot Legal Society is launching a new Legal Observer program as part of our response to Vancouver being a host city for FIFA World Cup. The City has confirmed that citizens can expect increased law enforcement presence in the coming months, including police, bylaw officers, and private security. Past experiences with mega sporting events—as well as the City's new FIFA Bylaws—make it clear that this is a high-risk time for enforcement actions that prioritize appearances over rights. Pivot is building a roster of Legal Observers to ensure that these actions do not happen in the shadows during FIFA and beyond.

What is a Legal Observer?

Legal Observers are trained volunteers who attend events with planned or potential law enforcement actions, such as protests or “street sweeps,” for the purpose of monitoring and documenting police activities. Critically, Legal Observers maintain a neutral presence and do not engage in conflicts themselves. Legal Observers are intentionally visible, generally wearing identifying clothing, such as a hat labelled “Legal Observer”. This allows Legal Observers to play a dual role in promoting police accountability: creating records of police actions and showing police that their actions are being recorded.

What are the requirements of becoming a Legal Observer?

You do not need to be a lawyer or law student to be a Legal Observer, but you must be willing and able to fulfill specific requirements. These include physically attending actions, taking detailed, real-time notes, and reporting your observations back to Pivot. You must also be prepared to set aside your activist “hat" during your shift in order to serve as a neutral documenter. Legal Observers may also be called upon to provide evidence in court or by affidavit in future legal cases. Awareness of what to look for in terms of police accountability and citizens' rights is an asset, but attending a training will provide you with the fundamentals you need.

Sign up for a future Legal Observer training

The first step in joining Pivot's roster of Legal Observers is attending a training. Trainings are open to the public and attending a training does not commit you to further participation.

Click here to sign up to be kept in the loop of future training opportunities.