2009-03-01 14:33 PST

Police are acutely aware of the public's concern with the level and scope of violence, especially gang violence, in our communities. Through the sharing of intelligence and resources, police agencies in the Lower Mainland are joining forces to combat gang crimes and violence.

BC Integrated Gang Task Force (BCIGTF)

The BC Integrated Gang Task Force was created in October 2004 to address ongoing gang violence within the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley, and the Province of British Columbia. The joint management structure brings together resources from Vancouver Police, RCMP, Abbotsford Police, Delta Police, New Westminster Police, Port Moody Police and West Vancouver Police. 

Their mandate is to target individuals or groups that pose a significant risk to public safety by prosecuting, disrupting and dismantling crime groups through unified enforcement.

BC IGTF is a prime example of inter-agency cooperation, with all levels of police agencies sharing intelligence on individuals or groups that have been identified as belonging to gangs, to ensure all communities are protected.

Violence Suppression Team

On November 7, 2007, police agencies in the Lower Mainland expanded the IGTF to include the Violence Suppression Team. This integrated Team pools its intelligence and resources to collectively:

• target the top suspects until they are arrested, convicted and safely placed in jail,
• form a highly visible pro-active anti gang squad that actively seeks out guns and gangsters, and
• increase the efforts of community intervention and awareness.

Western Canada Gang Conference

BCIGTF  co-sponsored and co-hosted the 2008 Western Canada Gang Conference in April 8 -11, 2008 with the Vancouver Police Gang Crime Unit and Criminal Intelligence Service, British Columbia and Yukon. The Conference provided a forum for investigators and police managers to:

• exchange intelligence on gangs operating in Western Canada, and
• share guns and gangs enforcement strategies and solutions

News Conference on Lessons Learned at the 2008 Western Gang Conference

Email: bcrcmp@rcmp-grc.gc.ca