August 28, 2014          Surrey, British Columbia                     Public Safety Canada

The Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, was in Surrey to visit RCMP “E” Division members and employees, and to meet with Deputy Commissioner Craig Callens, Commanding Officer of “E” Division. 

Minister Blaney also participated in a ride-along in RCMP District 1 in Surrey, B.C. with a member of “E” Division.

Minister Blaney has been visiting police officers and law enforcement leaders from across Canada to witness first-hand what police officers’ training and duties entail.

In March of this year, he visited the RCMP Academy, “Depot” Division, where RCMP cadets take the Cadet Training Program, an extensive 24-week basic training course for new recruits. In April, Minister Blaney joined Vancouver Police Department Chief Chu and officers on a tour of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, an area well known for drug use and other criminal activity. Last week’s visit to the RCMP’s “H” Division highlighted the urban and rural policing environments in Nova Scotia. On August 27, Minister Blaney had the opportunity to tour the state-of-the-art facilities at “E” Division in Surrey, and spoke to many of the officers, in a variety of policing functions, about the challenges and issues facing policing services in British Columbia. “E” Division is the largest Division in the RCMP and provides municipal, provincial and federal policing in areas that range from isolated Aboriginal communities and coastal villages to major cities.

“Our Government places great importance on keeping our streets and communities safe, and the RCMP plays an important role in that.  I am grateful to have had the opportunity to meet with Deputy Commissioner Callens and the officers of “E” Division.  This visit has deepened my understanding and appreciation for the diverse nature and challenges of police work.” 
- Steven Blaney, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

src:news.gc.ca