As one of CFSEU-BC’s foundational partners, the Organized Crime Agency of British Columbia plays a unique and critical role in supporting CFSEU-BC. OCABC sworn members and civilians are embedded within CFSEU-BC, serving essential analytical, forensic, administrative, media and enforcement support roles.
Key Moments
Founding Purpose
OCABC was established in 1999 to address the increasing complexity of organized crime, replacing the inadequate CLEU following the Owen Report.Operational Integration
In 2004, OCABC joined CFSEU-BC, uniting 12 law enforcement agencies under one command to enhance organized crime and gang violence response.Governance Structure
CFSEU-BC is governed by a board including RCMP, provincial, and municipal officials, ensuring strategic direction and operational policies.Personnel and Roles
OCABC's sworn officers and civilians are fully integrated within CFSEU-BC, fulfilling analytical, forensic, administrative, media, and enforcement support functions.
The Growing Sophistication &
Diversity of Organized Crime
The Organized Crime Agency of BC (OCABC) was created in direct response to the recommendations of the report of the Organized Crime Independent Review Committee, chaired by Stephen Owen (“The Owen Report,” September 15, 1998). The Agency was incorporated as a Society in March 1999 under the BC Police Act to replace its forerunner, the Coordinated Law Enforcement Unit (CLEU). The Owen Report found CLEU to be “… not sufficiently equipped, mandated or able to cope with the growing sophistication and diversity of organized crime”.
OCABC became fully operational in February 2000, similar in structure and authority to other municipal police departments in British Columbia. As a designated Police Agency in the province of British Columbia, the Organized Crime Agency of BC has its own contingent of sworn law enforcement officers and civilian personnel.
Integration in Policing
During Hon. Rich Coleman’s term as Solicitor General, the province increased its move toward more integration in policing as both a cost-saving measure by reducing duplication of efforts, and in order to solidify the Agency’s impact as an aggressive organized crime fighting unit.
In 2004, this restructuring aligned OCABC with its law enforcement partners into the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit – British Columbia (“CFSEU-BC”). It is under this agency name that organized crime projects are investigated and prosecuted.
CFSEU-BC integrated 12 law enforcement agencies, including OCABC and the RCMP, under one single command structure with oversight provided by a Chief Superintendent. The intent was to integrate the Organized Crime Agency of British Columbia, municipal police and the RCMP into one combined unit to coordinate the province’s response to the growing threat of organized crime and gang violence.
Organized Crime Agency of BC Governance
In addition to reporting to the RCMP’s E Division Criminal Operations officer, who is in charge of Investigative Services and Organized Crime for the RCMP in British Columbia, the Chief Officer of the CFSEU-BC reports to a Board of Governance which governs the Unit. As parties with a vested stakeholder interest in CFSEU-BC, the Board of Governance typically guides matters related to strategic direction. Members of the Board include RCMP, Provincial, and Municipal law enforcement representatives. While it does have its own policies and procedures, CFSEU-BC generally operates under the RCMP administrative policies and procedures, and adheres to these policies along with specific partner collective agreement policies in its day-to-day operations.
OCABC remains a designated police agency within the Province of British Columbia, and is a permanent member of the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit-BC. All OCABC employees are fully seconded, integrated, and an integral part of CFSEU-BC and its ongoing success.