Mounties launch dedicated sex crimes unit in Langford, B.C.
The West Shore RCMP has launched a new, three-member unit dedicated to investigating sex crimes after the department handled more than 100 such cases last year.
The special victims unit is comprised of two constables and one corporal and is overseen by the staff-sergeant of the serious crimes unit.
The Langford, B.C.-based detachment investigated 106 reported sexual offences in 2021, the department said in a release Thursday.
Those 106 reported crimes did not include 22 child pornography investigations that were handled by the serious crimes unit.
"That number jumped to 41 files of this nature as of December 2022, and the West Shore RCMP expects this number to continue increasing," the detachment said.
Child pornography cases and other sex crime investigations are often extremely resource intensive, according to the department, which cited a case in which a West Shore man was sentenced last month to 18 months in jail following a two-and-a-half-year probe into child porn possession.
"We determined there was a need for a specialized unit to handle some of these investigations as they are very complex in nature," Staff-Sgt. John Ferguson of the West Shore RCMP serious crimes unit said.
"Often, sexual offence investigations require a significant amount of time, making it difficult for frontline officers to investigate while also responding to other calls for service."
The detachment says the creation of the unit will not change how offences like sexual assault and voyeurism are reported to police.
"A report of this nature will come into the West Shore RCMP and from there the SVU unit will determine if their unit’s expertise is required," the department said.
"SVU officers are highly skilled and specifically trained in critical investigative techniques like interviewing children, writing search warrants and monitoring victims who are at risk of being re-victimized."
Last month, the Saanich Police Department established its own sex crimes unit, dubbed the special investigations section.
The nine-member unit consists of two sergeants and seven constables, including one new hire who was added with the approval of the department's 2022 budget.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada, G7 urge 'all parties' to de-escalate in growing Mideast conflict
Canada called for "all parties" to de-escalate rising tensions in the Mideast following an apparent Israeli drone attack against Iran overnight.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
Taylor Swift drops 15 new songs on double album, 'The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology'
On Friday, the pop star released her 11th album and at 2 a.m. Eastern, she released "The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology," featuring 15 additional songs.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.