RCMP & Vancouver Integrate Anti-Terror Units

by Kim Bolan, Vancouver Sun Jan 9, 2009

VANCOUVER - The Vancouver Police Department has joined with the RCMP to form a joint national security team specifically for the city of Vancouver.

The new team incorporates the VPD's Counter-Terrorism Unit with the RCMP's Integrated National Security Team to create a separate INSET branch for Vancouver.

"This INSET expansion enhances our capacity to track and put a stop to the criminal activities of terrorist groups or individuals who pose a threat to our communities and personal safety, both on a domestic and international level. National security is an important issue in every community, and must be addressed in a coordinated way," RCMP Supt. Lloyde Plante said in a news release.

Plante, assistant criminal operations officer for national security in B.C., said the integration expands operations to the highest populated area of the Lower Mainland.

"INSET-Vancouver will be able to investigate national security cases with a predominately City of Vancouver focus in a timelier, more efficient and cost-effective manner," he said.

The specialized teams known as INSETS were created across Canada following the events of September 11, 2001, and are located in Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal and Metro Vancouver.

The RCMP release said the units "are designed to increase the capacity for the collection, sharing and analysis of intelligence among partners to protect Canada's overall security. INSETs are comprised of the RCMP, municipal and provincial police, and security and intelligence partners. Working together, they gather, analyze and share information and intelligence that results in better efforts in tackling crime."

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