South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Police Service

Infobox Police Department
name = South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Police Service

motto = Safely Linking Communities
established = December 4, 2005
headquarters = New Westminster, BC
jurisdiction = Regional
sworn = 121
non-sworn = 40
stations =
chief = Ward Clapham
website = http://www.gvtaps.bc.ca/

The South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Police Service (SCBCTAPS) (formerly Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority Police Service) is the police force for Translink, the public transit system of the Metro Vancouver area of British Columbia, Canada. Formed in December 2005, the SCBCTAPS is the only urban public transit police force in Canada who are police officers with full peace officers status and armed on duty.

SCBCTAPS Officers can enforce all Criminal Code of Canada infractions in British Columbia, however, they focus their efforts primarily on Skytrain but will also support safety and security programs at Coast Mountain Bus Company (Coast Mountain Bus Company operates the Transit Security Department), SeaBus, West Coast Express and other transit stations in the region.

SCBCTAPS partners with local municipal police forces and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in enforcing laws in the Metro Vancouver region. As with all Metro Vancouver area police forces, the SCBCTAPS is a shareholder of E-Comm and utilizes its radio service; a centralized 911 call taking and dispatch centre. [ [http://www.ecomm.bc.ca/mediainformation/newsreleases/?id=36 GVTAPS joins E-Comm communications network] ] If requested, SCBCTAPS officers will also respond to emergencies outside of Translink properties as would other municipal police forces.

The name change was made pursuant to the "Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority Amendment Act 2007", effective November 30, 2007. However, references to SCBCTAPS as GVTAPS will continue to have legal effect. [ [http://www.leg.bc.ca/38th3rd/3rd_read/gov43-3.htm Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority Amendment Act 2007" Final version of the Act] ]

History

Before December 2005, Translink had police forces in the Lower Mainland patrolling Skytrain stations. In 1993, the then BC Transit introduced security officers hired from a private firm to enforce fare payments. This force consisted of 20 SkyTrain attendants and eight Special Provincial Constables.

On December 4 2005, [cite web |url=http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2005-2009/2005PSSG0049-001133.htm |title=New Transit Police on the Job |work=British Columbia government web site |accessdate=2006-11-16] the GVTAPS was launched, consisting of armed officers with full peace officer powers.

On November 30, 2007, Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority Police Service was renamed as South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Police Service pursuant to the "Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority Amendment Act 2007", which extended the scope of service of Translink from Metro Vancouver region to further East of the province.

Organization

The South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Police Board (SCBCTA Police Board) is responsible for the governance and oversight of the SCBCTAPS. The Board is responsible for appointing officers, including the Chief Ward Clapham and Deputy Chief Officer Ken Allen, and approve financial budget, establishes policy and responsible for complaints in regards to their officers.

As of December 2007, the SCBCTAPS force has 121 officers [cite web |url=http://www.gvtaps.bc.ca/pdf/GVTAPS_Strat_Plan_2007.pdf|title=Strategic Plan 2007-2011 Brochure |work=SCBCTAPS|accessdate=2008-04-13] with an average of 18 years of experience. [cite web |url=http://www.gvtaps.bc.ca/pdf/backgrounder.pdf |title=Backgrounder |work=GVTAPS.bc.ca |accessdate=2006-11-16] The most senior officer is Ward Clapham, Chief Officer of the SCBCTAPS. The SCBCTAPS reports to the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Police Board.

Taser controversy

News reports [cite web |url=http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2008/04/15/bc-transit-police-taser.html |title=B.C. transit police stun fare cheaters with Taser |accessdate=2008-05-05] in April 2008 alleged the misuse of Tasers by SCBCTAPS officers. It was reported that officers tasered offenders for the mispayment of transit fares. The B.C. Civil Liberties Association has filed a complaint against the police for use of Tasers but police deny that the weapons were used for fare mispayment and defend their use of Tasers.cite web |url=http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2008/04/18/bc-taser-civil-liberties-complaint.html?ref=rss |title=No change to TransLink taser use: police |accessdate=2008-05-09] Transit police have used Tasers 10 times between January 2007 and April 2008. Following the Robert Dziekański Taser incident, the hazards of the Taser use have received wide public attention in Vancouver.

ee also

* South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority
* E-Comm
* Transportation in Vancouver
* BART Police
* TTC Special Constable Services
* YRT/Viva Special Constable Services

References

External links

* [http://www.gvtaps.bc.ca SCBCTAPS website]
* [http://www.translink.bc.ca/Transportation_Services/Safety_Security/ Translink Safety and Security]
* [http://www.translink.bc.ca/ SCBCTA Website]
* [http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2005-2009/2005PSSG0049-001133.htm New Transit Police on the Job]