With more than 36 years of police service throughout Western Canada, there are few people with as much law enforcement experience as John McKay. He is not only one of the country's leading use of force experts, but also a seasoned expert witness in self defence and combat tactics. For much of his policing career, McKay dedicated himself to the study, practice and ongoing improvement of use of force tactics in Western Canada. His experience as both a beat cop on the street and a commanding office in charge of large police operations has allowed him to develop unique insights into the practice and management of use of force tactics.
He is the founder of the British Columbia Police Use of Force program that has become the national famework for use of force. He is a long-time instructor and trainer of the B,C. Force Response Options Instructor course, and provides training to security, corrections and other law enforcement agencies. McKay has also developed the Crisis Intervention program and leadership modules for the Vancouver Police Department (VPD).
Operationally, McKay has handled it all. He is one of the founders of the VPD Crowd Control Unit, and was an emergency response team squad leader for six years. He has led more than 300 high-risk operations that include hostage rescues, barricades and homicide scenes.
In courtrooms across the country, McKay has provided more than 400 expert use of force opinions. He has testified as an expert witness in the Supreme Court of B.C., the Human Rights Commission and various provincial courts. He has also worked as a confrontation management and use of force consultant for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Abbotsford Police, Canada Customs, Department of Oceans and Fisheries, Sears Canada, London Drugs and the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, among many others.
McKay's policing career began in 1973 when he joined the RCMP. As a member of Canada's national police force, McKay served across Canada in a number of operational, investigational and training roles. In 1981, he joined the Winnipeg Police Department where he walked the Main Street beat for two years, and also provided training expertise in use of force and crowd control unit tactics. In 1984, McKay moved to the West Coast with his family and began a 25-year career with the Vancouver Police Department. He served in various operational and training areas and was promoted to the rank of corporal in 1990, before making sergeant in 1994.
In 2000, McKay was assigned to the Vancouver Police Department's training section with a mandate to develop innovative programs. In that role, he designed, developed and implemented supervisors' modules, crisis intervention training and other unique programs that exist to this day. He also became the Vancouver Police Department ethics officer.
In 2001, McKay was promoted to the rank of inspector and assigned to Canada's toughest neighbourhood - the Downtown Eastside (DTES). While there he distinguished himself as a no-nonsense leader who could handle any tactical situation no matter how complex. During his tenure in the DTES, McKay worked with many of the social agencies there to improve relationships with sex-trade workers and the mentally ill.
In 2006, McKay was promoted again to the position of executive officer for then Chief Jamie Graham. He also served in that role for current Chief Jim Chu, before he returned to the street as a city wide duty officer. In 2009, after 36 years on the street and in various roles, McKay retired from the department.
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