Many of you are spending the holiday season connecting with friends and family, taking advantage of holiday events throughout Metro Vancouver, enjoying the snow, or giving back to your community. And so are we. Here are some highlights of what Metro Vancouver Transit Police has been up to this holiday season.

Patrol officers got into the Christmas spirit during their shift on Christmas Eve. Constable Emily Stasiuk brought in “stuffies” to hand out to children who were riding the transit system that day. The plush toys were a big hit and one pink unicorn stuff in particular made a big impression.

Constable Shiraaz Hanif partnered with Fratelli Bakery and local superhero Tammy Joyal who donated treats and warm winter clothing respectively. On Christmas Eve, he set out to spend the night visiting with people who were spending the night alone on the streets.

Constable Bruce Shipley meanwhile has also been busy doing outreach with vulnerable people who spend time on and around the transit system. He provides them with food, warm clothing and access to resources to ensure that they stay safe in the freezing weather.

It’s not just human Transit Police officers and dispatchers who have been working this holiday season, the Explosive Detection Dog Team dogs have been busy as well. Working in the snow has been a new experience for some of them, but Police Dog Harnett had a blast while working on Christmas Day.

In partnership with all of our TransLink partners, we helped support Coast Mountain Bus Company’s annual Toys for Tots campaign that saw 2,678 toys and $2,500 in donations delivered to the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau. We are proud to have played a role in bringing Christmas to local kids who might have otherwise gone without.

But what really fills us with holiday cheer is the well-wishes we’ve gotten from all of you. Every holiday greeting and act of kindness is very much appreciated. Notably, we especially appreciated the serenade from a former music teacher and talented singer.

From all of us at Metro Vancouver Transit Police, we hope that your holiday season has been as rewarding as ours and we wish you all the best in 2022.

Metro Vancouver Transit Police is excited to announce that RCMP Superintendent Anita Furlan has accepted the position of Deputy Chief Officer with our department, beginning on January 4, 2022. She will be the first female officer appointed into the Deputy Chief position since Transit Police was created in 2005.

Over the past 12 months, Superintendent Furlan has served as a senior leader within Transit Police during a one-year secondment. She has overseen a number of teams such as the Operations Communications Centre, Community Engagement Team, Crime Suppression Team, Police Dog Service and Criminal Intelligence Unit.

“A lot of change has occurred over the past year, while Anita was working with Transit Police and it’s exciting to have her become a permanent part of our team as we continue to grow and meet policing needs throughout the Lower Mainland region.” – Chief Officer, Dave Jones

Superintendent Furlan has been a regular member of the RCMP since 1998.  She has held a variety of posts, including being part of the Border Integrity Team (two years), being one of the first members of the Integrated Gang Task Force at its inception in 2004, spending six years with the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU) – Organized Crime section, where she was engaged in a number of international drug investigations, and four years with the provincial Major Crime Section in an administrative capacity. 

In 2016, Superintendent Furlan was commissioned to the Inspector rank. Her first post was as the Officer in Charge of the Real Time Intelligence Centre-BC (“RTIC-BC”) where she implemented a number of changes, with a focus on real time service delivery to frontline policing and increasing the profile and awareness of this unique unit.  In 2018, she was promoted to the rank of Superintendent as the RCMP “E” Division Intelligence Officer, where she oversaw the RTIC-BC, Criminal Intelligence Section (CIS), Division Analyst Intelligence Team (DIAT), and the Analytical Support Unit.

Things at Transit Police are going to get a little “hairy” this month as, once again, members of our organization grow facial hair to raise money for Movember, a charity that supports men’s health.

Setting the bar for all of our participants is Transit Police dog Strider who, as a As a Deutsch Drahthaar sports an enviable red mustache year-round.

Movember funds projects that aim to prevent premature death among men due to reasons related to suicide, prostate cancer and testicular cancer. Since Transit Police has an operational priority of helping vulnerable people in crisis, Movember Foundation’s focus on tackling mental health challenges is something our department is proud to support.  

Support the human and canine members of the MVTP K9 Team

Support the Waterfront Community Policing Centre Team – if they reach their goal of $2,000, Sergeant Julien Ponsioen will shave off his trademark beard!

Support the members of A Squad

Halloween weekend is almost here and, for many of us, that means dressing up in costume, gathering with friends or trick-or-treating. If you’ll be using transit to get to any of your Halloween events, Transit Police has tips to keep you safe.

Take extra care when choosing Halloween costumes. Face masks are mandatory on transit, so consider incorporating one into your costume. Put some thought into your props before stepping on transit. Costume weapon props, such as replica handguns, hatchets, knives, swords, etc., can be a problem. Ask yourself, “is there any chance that this item could be mistaken for the real thing?” If the answer is “yes” and someone calls the police, it might put your safety at risk. If in doubt, leave the prop at home or pack it away out of sight securely for the entire duration of your transit journey.

Consumption of liquor in public is illegal. This includes on board all buses, trains, and the SeaBus. If you are carrying liquor on transit, ensure it remains closed until you arrive at your destination. The fine for consuming liquor in public is $230. Vaping or smoking Cannabis anywhere on the Transit system is prohibited and can result in a $230 fine.

Tips for staying safe on transit:

• Familiarize yourself with TransLink safety features.
• Stay alert to your surroundings. Avoid being engrossed in your electronic device. Consider removing one earbud to stay in tune with what’s going on around you.
• Plan your journey ahead of time and make sure you appear confident and know where you’re going. Check the time that service on your route stops for the night, to avoid being stranded; know which NightBus will get you home, if needed.
• If travelling in a group, establish a meeting place in the event you are separated. (Mobile phones can get lost and batteries can die)
• Be visible as you make your way to and from transit. Wear bright costumes or include reflective tape, glow sticks, or other articles that improve visibility. Get more pedestrian safety tips from ICBC.

Use Text Code 87.77.77 to discreetly send us information regarding non-emergency situations on the bus, train or SeaBus. Save the text code in your phone contacts in advance, so it is ready to use if you need it.

By working together, we can ensure that your experience on our transit system will be a safe one. Have a safe and Happy Halloween on our system! Text us directly and discreetly at 87.77.77 or call us at 604.515.8300. Always call 911 in an emergency.

See Something, Say Something!

by Sergeant Cheryl Simpkin, Community Engagement Team

June 21, 2021 is National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada. Metro Vancouver Transit Police celebrate the four Transit Police officers who have Indigenous heritage and the Indigenous people in the communities we serve.

We recognize Canada’s movement toward truth and reconciliation and embrace the cultures of urban and traditional peoples in the communities throughout Metro Vancouver, the province of BC and Canada, we celebrate the beautiful cultures, traditions and protocols that strengthen and support Indigenous Peoples.

Metro Vancouver Transit Police is committed to developing and strengthening our relationship with the community we serve. The 2020 Strengthening Transit Police Support to Indigenous Peoples report has been a guiding report to focus our department through some exciting changes that even a global pandemic couldn’t slow down. Several new initiatives were launched in the last year.

Constable Kirk Rattray took on the role of Indigenous Liaison Officer. Drawing on his Tahltan First Nation heritage and his nearly 30 years in policing, Cst. Rattray works to create partnerships between Indigenous communities and police. He ensures our department upholds a high standard of cultural awareness when investigating crimes where a participant is Indigenous, and provides guidance on issues that may affect Indigenous peoples. He also educated police recruits from across the Province on cultural awareness at the Justice Institute of BC.

In the summer, we unveiled our Indigenous Art Piece. Created specifically for Transit Police by First Nations artist Christine Mackenzie, the artwork serves as a visual representation of our commitment to strengthening relationships with Indigenous communities. It tells the story of our department through its elements and will serve as the basis for a logo to be added to our vehicles.

The Blue Eagle Community Cadets program launched earlier this year. Under the leadership of Cst. Rattray, in partnership with Vancouver Police Department’s Diversity, Inclusion, and Indigenous Relations Section and the Aboriginal Policing Centre, the program gives kids between the ages of 12 and 15 the opportunity to build leadership skills while immersed in Indigenous culture and protocols.

On National Indigenous Peoples Day, we celebrate the rich and diverse cultures of Indigenous, Inuit and Métis peoples, while we focus on the work that still to be done on the path to reconciliation.

Metro Vancouver Transit Police, alongside all other police agencies in the Lower Mainland, is working in partnership with the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit BC to end the recent gang violence that has gripped Metro Vancouver. A transit system that covers over 1800km² means that our resources need to be deployed strategically to ensure that everyone stays safe. This requires a multi-prong approach with a variety of units playing a role in preventing further violence.

Transit Police has loaned out several officers to assist in the coordinated effort to end the recent wave of gun violence. We currently have officers working with the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, the Vancouver Police Gang Crime Unit, the Real Time Intelligence Centre BC and performing open source data reports with the Delta Police Homicide Unit.     

Over the last few months, Transit Police officers have taken several, in some cases loaded, firearms off the streets. All Transit Police dogs have now been cross trained to quickly detect odours related to firearms and ammunition , allowing us to quickly and efficiently gather evidence. Following the recent arrest of an alleged gang member, Transit Police Dog Kona conducted a search of the suspect’s vehicle to check for any additional firearms concealed inside.

All MVTP Explosive Detection Dogs are cross trained for firearm and ammunition detection. Here you see PSD Blaze conducting a training exercise searching for a spent bullet casing. A search that took seconds for him might take hours for a police officer to do. pic.twitter.com/MxNyTYTe4J

— Transit Police K9 Unit (@MVTPK9) May 11, 2021

The Transit Police Crime Suppression Team (CST) was created recently to bring a intelligence-led and targeted approach to fighting crime on and around the transit system. Working closely with our jurisdictional policing partners and other units within Transit Police, CST leads the way in addressing the crime trends that pose the biggest threats to safety.

During this time, it’s understandable that parents and guardians may be worried about gang influences on their children. Transit Police, in partnership with Vancouver Aboriginal Community Policing & the Vancouver Police Department Diversity, Inclusion & Indigenous Relations section, is proud to offer the Blue Eagle Community Cadet program to provide leadership skills to youth ages 12-15, while they explore Indigenous culture and policing. The programs offers a supportive environment where kids can build the skills and self-confidence to keep themselves safe.

The month of May has been Asian Heritage Month in Canada. This year, it took on an extra meaning for us as a police department tasked with keeping people on transit safe in the midst of fears at rising anti-Asian sentiments. Everyone deserves to ride on transit feeling safe and, sadly, that hasn’t been the case for many people of Asian heritage recently. That is of great concern to all of us at Transit Police, but perhaps more so to the many officers who themselves are of Asian heritage. We spoke to four of them.

Constable Darren Chua has participated in several of the pop-up safety events hosted by Transit Police at SkyTrain stations with a large Asian demographic. “As a person with Chinese heritage, it’s important for me to engage with the Asian community,” he says. “Historically there’s been distrust in the police, resulting in community members often not being forthcoming in reporting crimes.” He’s working hard to change that perception.

Constable Clint Hervias has a history of assisting vulnerable people in the Filipino Community “I call Canada home now, but grew up in Africa,” says Cst. Hervias who is of Filipino heritage. “It doesn’t matter where in the world you come from, everyone just wants to feel safe in their daily life. I’m proud to play a role in providing that safety for people while they travel on transit in Metro Vancouver.”  

Constable Jenny Chung has worked closely with the Korean community, of which she is a member, for many years. “I speak with newcomers to Canada to let them know that Transit Police officers are always here to help them if they don’t feel safe on transit,” she says. “It’s been my experience that sometimes people worry that they are ‘bothering’ the police or that it will get them unwanted attention from us, but that’s not the case in Canada. If someone doesn’t feel safe, we are here to help, and we want them to report it.”  

“As a Chinese man who grew up in China and immigrated to Canada in his 30s, I have personally experienced the difficulties adapting to a new culture and a new country,” says Constable Junjie Hu. His message is clear. “Given the current anti-Asian environment, every single one of us has a role to play. Stand up for yourself and others. Voice your concerns and report every incident involving racism, hatred, harassment or bullying. There is no room for any hatred or racism in Canada”

Racism and hate have no place on the transit system, and will not be tolerated. Anyone who experiences or witnesses harassment or threatening behaviour while on transit should report it to Transit Police. Call 604.515.8300 or text 87.77.77 (always call 911 in an emergency).  If you are worried about your safety or the safety of a loved one, our transit safety tips might be helpful.

Police in British Columbia share the concerns that the public have as a result of recent gang-related violence in communities across the Lower Mainland.

 
Senior police leaders in British Columbia met yesterday with Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth to discuss the current gang landscape and share their collective and unified strategies.

 
Led by the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC), in partnership and collaboration with the RCMP and all municipal police agencies, there is an intelligence-led enforcement effort underway. This includes enhanced overt and covert operations, proactive enforcement targeting those who pose the highest risk to public safety, increased focus on personally interacting with those involved in gangs, and ensuring that those who engage in, assist, or support gang-related violence are held accountable.

 
The partnerships and level of integration that police in the region have is unprecedented. From the sharing of real-time intelligence so officers of all jurisdictions are informed of the most up-to-date information, to specialized teams working together with officers from neighbouring agencies because gang members do not recognize municipal boundaries. Police are working together and are unified in their resolve to end gang violence.

The disregard for the safety of the public and the police that gang members continually show, highlighted by recent events, is unacceptable and we are doing everything we can to hold those responsible accountable. 

 
Your safety is our number one priority and we will not waver in our relentless pursuit to prevent, disrupt, suppress, and investigate those who choose to involve themselves in gang and organized crime activities.

 
The public’s role in how successful we are in this fight cannot be understated. Your willingness to call police when you see something suspicious, or have information, could be critical in helping prevent someone from getting hurt or assist us in collecting crucial pieces of evidence. We want your help.

Lastly, to the gang members, we know many of you are afraid, unsure who to trust, and fearful that you might be targeted next. You have an opportunity to get out. Contact police before it is too late for you and those who love you.

 
Chief Constable Mike Serr – Abbotsford Police Department
Assistant Commissioner Manny Mann – Officer in Charge of CFSEU-BC and Chief Officer of the Organized Crime Agency of British Columbia
Chief Constable Neil Dubord – Delta Police Department
Chief Officer Dave Jones – Metro Vancouver Transit Police
Chief Constable Dave Jansen – New Westminster Police Department
Chief Constable Dave Fleugel – Port Moody Police Department
Deputy Commissioner Jennifer Strachan – Commanding Officer for BC RCMP
Assistant Commissioner Dwayne McDonald – Officer in Charge of the RCMP’s Federal, Investigative Services and Organized Crime for BC
Assistant Commissioner Eric Stubbs – BC RCMP Criminal Operations Officer – Core Policing 
Assistant Commissioner Maureen Levy – Lower Mainland District RCMP Commander
Chief Constable Adam Palmer – Vancouver Police Department
Chief Constable John Lo – West Vancouver Police Department