Pubdate: Thu, 12 Feb 2004 Source: Aldergrove Star (CN BC) Copyright: 2004 Central Fraser Valley Star Publishing Ltd. Contact: http://www.aldergrovestar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/989 NEW UNIT FIGHTS ORGANIZED CRIME Police have a new tool in the battle against B.C.'s drug trade and other organized crime with the creation of an integrated crime unit, Solicitor General Rich Coleman said Feb. 6. "By moving the Organized Crime Agency into the RCMP, police will benefit from unprecedented levels of coordination as they target criminal groups," Coleman said. "The streamlined operation frees up an additional $3 to $4 million to fight illegal guns, money laundering, and other types of organized crime." The new agency will be called the Integrated Organized Crime Unit. "Criminals don't respect municipal borders and this move will help to eliminate overlap and duplication among law enforcement agencies, said Beverley (Bev) Busson, RCMP Deputy Commissioner for the Pacific Region. "At the same time, it provides a more efficient use of money and resources dedicated to organized crime." The new integrated unit will have the advantage of the provincial RCMP contract and access to more federal dollars. Under existing agreements the province pays 70 per cent of the provincial RCMP costs, and the federal government pays 30 per cent. David Douglas, chief officer of the Organized Crime Agency of B.C., said, "This integrated partnership levels the playing field for police." The Organized Crime Agency of B.C was set up in 1999 to investigate and track organized crime in B.C. The agency will move to the RCMP on April 1. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom