49°13′29.35″N 122°53′30.49″W / 49.2248194°N 122.8918028°W
| South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Police Service | |
|---|---|
 Heraldic badge of the SCBCTAPS | |
| Common name | Metro Vancouver Transit Police |
| Abbreviation | MVTP (branding) SCBCTAPS (official) |
| Motto | Safely Linking Communities |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | December 4, 2005 |
| Preceding agencies |
|
| Employees | 234[1] |
| Annual budget | $32 million[2] |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Operations jurisdiction | Metro Vancouver Regional District[3], Canada |
| Size | 134 km (83 mi) of heavy and light rail track, 57 rail stations, over 195 bus routes, 3 passenger ferries |
| Population | 2,463,700 in 2,877 km2 (1,111 sq mi) (Metro Vancouver) |
| Constituting instruments | |
| General nature | |
| Operational structure | |
| Overseen by | South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Police Service Board |
| Headquarters | 300 - 287 Nelson's Court, New Westminster |
| Police officers | 167[1] |
| Civilians | 67[1] |
| Elected officer responsible |
|
| Agency executive |
|
| Parent agency | South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority |
| Units | Patrol, Communications, Explosive Detection Dog, Bicycle Patrol, Crime Reduction, Intelligence, Training & Recruiting, Professional Standards |
| Division Offices | West - Richmond |
| Facilities | |
| Explosives detection dogs | 4 Labrador Retrievers |
| Website | |
| transitpolice | |
| 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.
- ^ a b c "2014 Annual Report" (PDF). Transit Police. Retrieved May 14, 2015.
- ^ Translink 2014 Base Plan and Outlook
- ^ [1]
- ^ Board members
- ^ "South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Police Service Regulation". www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
- ^ "Policing in B.C." Government of British Columbia. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
- ^ Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority Amendment Act 2007 Final version of the Act