Premier Christy Clark announced today that the B.C. Criminal Justice Branch has put in place a team of professional Crown prosecutors who will work with police and lead all aspects of the prosecution related to the June 15 riot. Evidence amassed in the coming weeks will determine the ultimate size and extent of the prosecutorial team required.

"The extraordinary events of Wednesday night profoundly affected not only Vancouverites, but all British Columbians," said Premier Clark. "There is a shared resolve - by citizens, police, the courts, business people and government - to bring all of those responsible to justice. As a government, we are fully committed to doing what we can to support those efforts, and to ensuring this type of incident never happens again."

"Our top priority right now is supporting the Vancouver Police Department's (VPD) investigation and preparing to bring rioters to justice," said Solicitor General Shirley Bond. "We are working hard to ensure our police and justice partners have what they need to fulfil our commitment to full justice for all perpetrators of Wednesday's violence and destruction. It is essential that these individuals be held accountable"

"We are working to bring to justice those who have committed criminal acts," said Attorney General Barry Penner. "This is a priority for our government and for the Criminal Justice Branch. Senior prosecutors have already been in contact with the VPD and Crown prosecutors will work with police to review and assess the evidence, with a goal to making sure any cases brought forward result in successful prosecutions."

The RCMP and Lower Mainland police agencies have agreed to work with the VPD in an Integrated Coordinated Investigation Team (CIT), which includes major case investigators, who will work in support of the VPD investigation into the criminal activity that occurred at the time of the Stanley Cup Game Seven in Vancouver.

As well, ICBC has contacted VPD. Subject to receipt of a court order, the corporation's facial-recognition technology will be able to support the identification of suspects. Since 2009, ICBC has used this technology to protect customers from identity theft and fraud related to driver licences.

In the days and weeks ahead, government will look to learn from this experience and work with Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson and VPD Chief Jim Chu to look at what we can do better to prevent another incident like Wednesday night.

The Province has also launched a new Facebook page - www.facebook.com/BCHeroes - to give British Columbians a place to share their positive stories of volunteers, good Samaritans, emergency services personnel and others coming together in the true spirit of B.C. to clean up and recover from the riot. The public is also being asked to send information about specific examples of bravery and heroism during the riots to heroes@gov.bc.ca. Those individuals will be publicly honoured in the weeks ahead.

"It is in the outpouring of support and community spirit following this incident where we see the true character of Vancouver and B.C.," said Premier Clark. "We will honour those who stood up and showed character and bravery during the riots and we will not let the actions of a few criminals define our city and province."

Quick Facts:

• Citizens are encouraged to share photos, videos, text messages and other evidence with investigators.
• Call the Vancouver City Police Department at 604-717-3321, local police or any detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
• Photos may be sent anonymously to the Vancouver Police Department at robbery@vpd.ca
• Videos may be shared anonymously with to the department. Please upload them to Youtube as private videos and share them with robbery@vpd.ca
• Posts are also welcome through Twitter at #VPD.
• The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act allows ICBC to disclose information to police in order to comply with subpoenas, warrants and court orders.
• ICBC's facial-recognition technology works by analyzing characteristics that do not change, such as the size and location of cheekbones and the distance between the eyes.

Media Contacts:
Chris Olsen
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
604 220-1640

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
250 356-6961