OTTAWA – Crimebeat – As part of its ongoing collaborative efforts to protect Canada’s national security, the RCMP is expanding its National Security Criminal Investigations Program and officially launching today an Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET) in K Division, Edmonton, Alberta.
The RCMP-led INSETs are multi-agency teams made up of specially-trained members of the RCMP and other law enforcement and national security partners at the federal, provincial and municipal levels who investigate all national security criminal threats. The INSET in Alberta is composed of employees of the RCMP, Edmonton Police Services, Calgary Police Services, Canada Border Services Agency and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service.
By working together, the RCMP and its partners are well positioned to prevent, detect, deny and respond to criminal threats to Canada’s national security. As an integrated investigative unit, the INSET plays a critical role at the forefront of Canada’s Counter-terrorism strategy.
“Our Government has made responsible, effective investments to fight terrorism and protect Canadians, including the creation of INSETs in major Canadian cities that are responsible for criminal investigations involving terrorist activities,” said the Honourable Vic Toews, Canada’s Public Safety Minister. “The success of the Counter-terrorism Strategy relies on this kind of integrated approach to cooperation and information sharing within and between security intelligence agencies and law enforcement partners.”
Over the years, successful criminal convictions have demonstrated the valuable contributions made by INSETs and highlighted the effectiveness of their strong integrated and policing approach to countering threats to Canada’s national security.
“Keeping Canadians safe is our mission,” said RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson. “RCMP-led INSETs are key players at the front line defending Canada’s national security. Through their dedicated and collaborative efforts, INSETs enable a true partnership amongst Canadian law enforcement and in our diverse communities to safeguard all citizens from criminal extremism and terrorism. Integrating agencies in the fight against extremism and terrorism amplifies our individual strengths into a united and powerful investigative force.”
The K Division INSET in Edmonton is the fifth one in the country. Other INSETs, located in Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, were established following the events of 9/11 based on the threats faced at the time. The RCMP recognizes that the threats can evolve and as such, continually reassesses its allocation of resources accordingly. The reallocation of resources for an INSET in Alberta with offices in Calgary and Edmonton was prompted by factors such as a growing population, a strong economy supported by the province’s natural resources and the need to protect critical infrastructure.
“All law enforcement agencies in Alberta have an important role to play in preserving Canada’s national security,” said RCMP Assistant Commissioner Marianne Ryan, Criminal Operations Officer “K” Division RCMP. “The establishment of an INSET team will enable the RCMP and our policing partners in Alberta to work more collaboratively towards the detection of criminal activity in this province that has the potential to impact national security.”