Media Releases RSS FeedMaple Ridge to Become Regional Hub for RCMP Integrated Forensic Identification Services
May 1, 2012 / 9:00 AM
On April 30, Maple Ridge Mayor and Council reviewed a request from the RCMP for the allocation of space to allow the RCMP to expand the presence of the Integrated Forensic Identification Services (IFIS) in the Ridge Meadows RCMP detachment facility to create a regional hub for their work in the Fraser Valley.
The report detailed how the IFIS came into being in 2005, recognizing the challenges around the demands for highly qualified staffing, training and the very specialized and costly equipment required to deliver the support to officers in the field.
Inspector Gary Leydier, head of the IFIS spoke to Council regarding the planned expansion of the facility here in Maple Ridge. "The expansion of the local office is a reflection of the extraordinary cooperation and relationship that the RCMP has in this community. Our intention is to expand our operations within the Ridge Meadows RCMP detachment building to allow for greater support for investigations in the Fraser Valley and see the local detachment benefit with the placement of highly trained investigative staff within the detachment working from this community," said Inspector Leydier.
"The District of Maple Ridge is very pleased to see the expansion of the Integrated Forensic Identification Services in our community. We know that the work done by these highly trained men and women are an important part of the investigation process. In the real world, as on the many popular TV shows, a fingerprint or DNA trace can be the piece of evidence that helps identify the victim of an accident or identifies a criminal and leads to a conviction, " said Mayor Ernie Daykin. He continued, "I know that the experts that will work from our community will have an impact on the great work of our detachment, and we are very pleased to support the work of the RCMP in our community and in the Fraser Valley."
The expansion of the IFIS operations in the Ridge Meadows RCMP headquarters building will displace some work into the Randy Herman Public Safety Building and result in some space being required in the Office Tower adjoining Municipal Hall. The report explained that the additional space required would be paid for by the RCMP.
For further information, please contact:
Superintendent Dave Walsh
RCMP Officer in Charge
Tel: 604-463-6251
Email: rm.inquiries@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Paul Gill
General Manager: Corporate & Financial Services
Tel: 604-467-7398
Email: pgill@mapleridge.ca