Metro Vancouver Transit Police

49°13′29.35″N 122°53′30.49″W / 49.2248194°N 122.8918028°W / 49.2248194; -122.8918028

South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Police Service
Heraldic badge of the SCBCTAPS
Heraldic badge of the SCBCTAPS
Common nameMetro Vancouver Transit Police
AbbreviationMVTP (branding)
SCBCTAPS (official)
MottoSafely Linking Communities
Agency overview
FormedDecember 4, 2005
Preceding agencies
Employees234[1]
Annual budget$32 million[2]
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionMetro Vancouver Regional District[3], Canada
Size134 km (83 mi) of heavy and light rail track, 57 rail stations, over 195 bus routes, 3 passenger ferries
Population2,463,700 in 2,877 km2 (1,111 sq mi) (Metro Vancouver)
Constituting instruments
General nature
Operational structure
Overseen bySouth Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Police Service Board
Headquarters300 - 287 Nelson's Court, New Westminster
Police officers167[1]
Civilians67[1]
Elected officer responsible
  • Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General of British Columbia
Agency executive
  • Suzanne Muir, chief officer
Parent agencySouth Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority
UnitsPatrol, Communications, Explosive Detection Dog, Bicycle Patrol, Crime Reduction, Intelligence, Training & Recruiting, Professional Standards
Division OfficesWest - Richmond
Facilities
Explosives detection dogs4 Labrador Retrievers
Website
transitpolice.ca
Mark Reder[4] is the chair of the Transit Police Board. Unlike other similar organizations in British Columbia, he is not elected into position.

The Metro Vancouver Transit Police (MVTP), previously the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority Police Service and formally the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Police Service (SCBCTAPS), is the police force for TransLink, the public transit system of the Metro Vancouver region of British Columbia, Canada.

Formed in December 2005, the Metro Vancouver Transit Police is the only police force in Canada solely dedicated to transit, as most other cities use a combination of special constables and a transit division of their local police. The MVTP is a supplementary police agency with the jurisdictional police agency retaining primary responsibility for policing in each jurisdiction they serve.

MVTP officers have the same authorities and powers as other police officers while on and off duty. They are sworn in as designated constables under the Police Act, with full police powers throughout Metro Vancouver.[5] They focus their efforts primarily on protecting the safety and security of passengers, employees, property, and revenue of Metro Vancouver's transit system.[6]

The MVTP partners with local municipal police forces and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in enforcing laws in the Metro Vancouver region. If requested, MVTP officers will also respond to emergencies outside of transit property as would other municipal police forces.

When TransLink's official name was changed to the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority in 2007 to recognize the potential for future service expansion outside of Greater Vancouver, MVTP followed and changed its name as well. However, references to GVTAPS will continue to have legal effect as if they were references to SCBCTAPS.[7]

The MVTP, along with other BC police forces including the RCMP, seconds officers to the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia.

  1. ^ a b c "2014 Annual Report" (PDF). Transit Police. Retrieved May 14, 2015.
  2. ^ Translink 2014 Base Plan and Outlook
  3. ^ [1]
  4. ^ Board members
  5. ^ "South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Police Service Regulation". www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  6. ^ "Policing in B.C." Government of British Columbia. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  7. ^ Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority Amendment Act 2007 Final version of the Act

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