• B.C. has an RCMP provincial force, 63 RCMP municipal forces, 11 independent municipal police departments, a First Nations-administered Police Service, the RCMP federal force, and the transit police.
• Since 2001, government has more than doubled the annual provincial policing expenditure - it's up by $186 million.
• This, along with additional funding from the federal and municipal governments, has increased the police strength throughout B.C. by more than 2,200 and helped to reduce B.C.'s crime rate to its lowest level in decades.
• Since 2012, the Province has launched the justice reform initiative, created the Independent Investigations Office and finalized a strategic plan for policing that was shaped by the ideas and concerns of B.C. families and community leaders. It is online at: http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/policeservices/publications-index/docs/BCPolicingPlan.pdf
• The 16 action items in the B.C. Policing and Community Safety Plan focus on modernizing the Province's policing and law enforcement framework over the next three, five and 10 years.
• The ministry is examining responsibility for services, funding, governance and service-delivery options for policing throughout B.C., which is a key action item in the B.C. Policing and Community Safety Plan and a recommendation of the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry.
• Strengthening public confidence in police and ensuring community-level accountability were at the core of government's RCMP contract negotiations. Transparency for B.C. communities continues to be at the forefront of contract management discussions with the federal government and with our municipalities.

Integration and Regionalization:

• It's clear that there are opposing views about regionalization. That's why government is committed to having a conversation, and including the leaders of municipalities and police agencies and experts. B.C. is looking at models ranging from further integration to regional service delivery of specialized services.
• B.C. has more integrated operations and more joint forces operations per capita than anywhere else in Canada. These teams avoid duplication and optimize efficiency. There are more than 900 provincial and municipal police officers and support staff on the teams.
• Each year, more than $70 million in provincial funding goes toward integration resources for more than 20 integrated teams, including:
• Integrated Gang Task Force; Integrated Homicide Investigation Team; Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit - British Columbia.

Security Programs Division:

• Security Programs Division licenses and regulates the private security industry, including armoured car guards, locksmiths, security guards, alarm installers, private investigators, closed-circuit television installers, security consultants, and electronic locking device installers - about 25,000 individuals and 1,300 licensed security businesses, including body armour vendors.
• The Criminal Record Review Program (CRRP) requires a criminal record check for those who work with children or vulnerable adults in provincially funded or regulated organizations. The program processes up to 200,000 checks a year.
• Following an amendment to the Criminal Records Review Act in 2013, the CRRP also conducts free criminal record checks for volunteers who work with children and vulnerable adults. These checks are available for non-profit-sector organizations that opt into the provincial program.
• To help reduce thefts of copper wire and other high-value metals, the Metal Dealers and Recyclers Act requires British Columbians who are trying to sell metals to present identification to the scrap purchaser, who will in turn share purchase details daily with police.
• Metal purchasers who fail to register with the B.C. government and fulfil record-keeping and sharing requirements risk fines of up to $100,000, as well as up to six months' imprisonment.

Media Contact:

Ministry of Justice
Government Communications and Public Engagement
250 213-3602