Dec. 12, 2005

B.C. is adding 10 new police officers to special units fighting Internet child pornography and other cybercrime such as hacking and identity theft, Solicitor General John Les.

“Pedophiles and other criminals are using computers to reach into our communities and homes and victimize British Columbians,” Les said. “We’re going on the attack, adding more police and expertise to stop cybercrime and educate parents and young people about the potential dangers of using the Internet.”

Five of the new officers are joining the Integrated Technological Crime Unit, which has been investigating computer crimes such as hacking (the unauthorized access to computer systems), misuse of digital data, and identity theft since 2002. With the additional officers, the unit now has 21 members.

The unit also supports investigations of such crimes as drug trafficking, money laundering and credit card fraud, which often involve computers and electronic organizers. The unit has the technology and expertise to recover data deleted from any hard drive.

The other five officers will increase the Integrated Internet Child Exploitation Team from two to seven members. Formed in 2003, the team investigates individuals involved in Internet child pornography and luring, and promotes public awareness about these issues.

“During the past few years, new technologies have evolved at a frantic pace,” said Bev Busson, RCMP Deputy Commissioner of Pacific Region and Commanding Officer of E Division. “These additional officers are trained investigators who also have extensive computer knowledge. This is the kind of resource we need to protect the public from dangers inherent in the Internet.”

The addition of the 10 officers is one of a series of new crime-fighting measures – including a $122-million investment in policing, corrections and courts ­– announced by Premier Gordon Campbell in January.