Highlights

Recruiting: In February 2006, the RCMP’s National Recruiting Program was established to examine current and future factors affecting recruitment in the RCMP. A comprehensive strategy has been developed to ensure our greatest asset – our members – continues to stand strong. In 2006/07, “E” Division sent 384 cadets to the RCMP Training Academy, our most significant annual enrollment yet.

Police Records Information Management Environment for British Columbia (PRIME-BC): BC is Canada’s first jurisdiction to adopt a Provincewide, online police records management system that provides inter-operability among all policing agencies. The Lower Mainland District and the Federal and Headquarter Units are now utilizing PRIME-BC. The Island, North and Southeast Districts are planned to come online by March 2008.

Informatics: Technology has an ever-increasing presence in policing work as a tool that improves information sharing, security and operational efficiencies in urban and rural detachments, resulting in a closely-linked Provincial policing force. “E” Division has several projects underway:

• Project E-ReNU focuses on upgrading the “E” Division radio system that supports Provincial operations outside of the Lower Mainland. In Vancouver Island’s Capital Regional District, the upgrade will meet the requirements of the emergency service agencies in an integrated manner.
• Radio over Internet (ROI) is a cross-border communications system that allows agencies to respond to calls for assistance and for investigators to undertake cross-border investigations.
• National Police Services Network (NPSN) upgrades ensure the efficient electronic exchange of information, including those associated with PRIMEBC. To date, seven remote communities in the Province have been linked
  to NPSN through new satellite-based connections.

Pacific Region Training Centre (PRTC): The PRTC’s Block Training program, an operational-based five-day training system, is underway for every BC RCMP member. The training includes re-certification in skills and tactics based on national RCMP standards. We also celebrated the 30th anniversary of joint training with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in 2006.

Strategic Communications Section: As one of the more highly visible connections to the public, the RCMP “E” Division’s Strategic Communications Section has more closely aligned itself with detachments, units and federal counterparts to better support their work. The section continues to focus on its relationships with local, provincial, national and international media outlets to ensure the accurate and timely sharing of information.