Canadian Forces National Investigation Service

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=Canadian Forces National Investigation Service


caption=Unit Crest of the CFNIS
dates=1997-present
country=Canada
allegiance=
branch=
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role= Investigative arm of the Canadian Forces
size= approx 120
command_structure=
current_commander=Lieutenant-Colonel W.H. (Bud) Garrick
garrison=
patron=
identification_symbol=
identification_symbol_label=
motto="Virtus Officium Veritas" ("Excellence, Duty, Truth")

colors=
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battle_honours=The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service (CFNIS) is the investigative arm of the Canadian Forces Military Police.

History

The CFNIS was established in 1997 with a mandate to investigate serious and sensitve matters related to Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces (CF). It performs a function similar to that of a Major Crime unit of the RCMP or large municipal police agency. The CFNIS was created to address lessons learned through our experiences in Somalia, the Former Republic of Yugoslavia and on other difficult deployed missions. The creation of the CFNIS also fulfilled recommendations made by the [http://www.mdn.ca/site/minister/reports/dickson/justindex_e.htm Special Advisory Group on Military Justice and Military Police Investigation Services] , chaired by The Right Honourable Brian Dickson, P.C., C.C., C.D. and the Report of the Military Police Services Review Group (Belzile Report) [Belzile 1998, chapter 6] that the Military Justice System required an investigative agency that was independent of the chain of command.

Mandate

The CFNIS investigates serious or sensitive service and criminal offences against property, persons, and the Department of National Defence. It has authority and jurisdiction over persons subject to the Code of Service Discipline, wherever Canadian Forces are established or deployed throughout the world, regardless of rank or status.

Mission

To contribute to the maintenance of operationally ready, combat-capable forces by providing professional, timely and independent police investigative services to the Department of National Defence, the Canadian Forces and the communities we serve at home and around the world. [Garrick 2006, page 1.]

Vision

To be recognized by those we serve, and within the law enforcement community, as a police agency with high professional standards, skilled investigators, quality services and a commitment to working with our internal and external partners. [Garrick 2006, page 1.]

Command and Control

The CFNIS Commanding Officer is a Lieutenant-Colonel, who reports directly to the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal (CFPM). Regardless of the circumstance or environment, the members of the CFNIS remain under command of the CO CFNIS. The independence that results from this command relationship enables the CFNIS to conduct thorough investigations without fear of influence from any command element.

Organization

CFNIS services are provided through six regional offices, a deployed detachment (currently in Afghanistan) and a specialized support detachment [Garrick 2006, page 2.]
* Halifax, serving Atlantic Canada;
* Valcartier, serving Eastern Canada;
* Ottawa, serving Central Canada;
* Borden, serving South Western Ontario;
* Edmonton, serving the Prairie Provinces;
* Esquimalt, serving the West Coast; and
* Support Detachment, servicing all regions with specialized investigative services including:
** criminal intelligence (under the intelligence-led policing model),
** drug enforcement,
** computer forensics,
** polygraph services, and
** physical and technical surveillance.

While the CFNIS Regional Detachments are located on or near Canadian Forces Bases, the CFNIS personnel work independently from the normal military chain of command. They receive direction and report directly to the CO CFNIS. The CFNIS has maintained a presence in every major CF deployment since 1997. The CFNIS has repeatedly demonstrated the value of their independence, investigative expertise, and ability to function under the most austere conditions. The CFNIS investigated the tragic "Friendly Fire" bombing of CF troops in Afghanistan. Each subsequent fatality in the operational theatre has also been investigated by the CFNIS including the death of two fellow Military Police members during an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) attack.

Composition

The CFNIS is comprised of members of the Military Police. The members are selected for these positions and typically have a broad variety of experience both in Canada and with deployed CF Missions. Section 156 of the National Defence Act and Section 2 of the Criminal Code of Canada define the powers of military police. Their investigative training is on par with any major police agency in Canada. They receive training at the Military Police Academy at CFB Borden, through the Canadian Police College in Ottawa and through a variety of partnerships with domestic police agencies and our military allies.The members of the CFNIS remain subject to the Military Police Code of Conduct and are subject to oversight by the Military Police Professional Standards organization and the [http://www.mpcc-cppm.gc.ca Military Police Complaints Commission] , a federal independent, quasi-judicial body, established by the Parliament of Canada.

Operations and Services

Requests for CFNIS investigations come through regular military police organizations, but CF members and DND employees can lay complaints, or communicate directly with regional offices or individual CFNIS members. Charges, through either civilian or military courts, can follow investigation and documentation of complaints that fall within the CFNIS mandate. Investigators receive dedicated, independent advice from Regional Military Prosecutors throughout the course of their investigations. The CFNIS works in close cooperation with other military police units and civilian law-enforcement agencies. Other countries with an independent military investigative capability include the United States, United Kingdom and France.

Citations

References

*wikicite|id=idBelzile1998|reference=Lieutenant-General Charles H. Belzile (ret.) (1998). "Report of the Military Police Services Review Group". Department of National Defence, 1998
*wikicite|id=idGarrick2006|reference=Garrick, W.H. (2006). "CFNIS Annual Report - 2006", Department of National Defence.
*cite web |url=http://vcds.mil.ca/cfpm/pubs/nis/intro_e.asp|title=CFPM/CFNIS|accessdate=2007-12-24 |format= |work=