 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Public Transit Security in Vancouver Airport Security - coming soon. Back to the Role of Security Page Back to What Security on Patrol Can and Cannot Do Complaint and Reporting Options Public Transit Security in Vancouver Security in and around the public transit system in Greater Vancouver is shared between the Transit Police Service, customer service staff and various security personnel.
Generally, the police service is authorized to respond to criminal activity and breaches of law in and around transit property. Security guards safeguard transit employees, passengers and property, and handle incidents that are of a non-criminal nature.
The public transit system includes SkyTrain, public buses, SeaBus and the West Coast Express. The Safety and Security section on Translink's website provides more information on roles played by each party.
In Vancouver, the Transit Police Service, (common name for the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority Police Service or GVTAPS) provides policing on and around the public transit system.
Transit Police have the same policing powers and authority as local police. They carry firearms and they wear a police uniform and insignia with shoulder flashes bearing the word "Police". This helps to distinguish them from security workers and to identify the scope of their authority.
Transit Police have the authority to respond to criminal activity and breaches of law in and around transit property. They also have broader enforcement authorities and jurisdiction.
They can:
You can learn more about what Transit Police can and cannot do, in the Question and Answer section of the GVTAPS website. It answers a range of commonly asked questions about Transit police.
You can learn about filing a complaint against a Transit Police Officer, on the Complaints About Transit Police section of this site.
Most transit security guards are not licensed guards. This means they are not subject to the same licensing or regulatory standards as other security workers, but they will be by 2009.
Unlicensed guards have to act within the laws and treat people with dignity and respect. Review What Guards Can and Cannot Do to understand their authority.
If you need to complain about or report an unlicensed security guard, you can contact Translink directly or review other options here.
The Downtown Ambassadors Program is a program of the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association (DVBIA). Ambassadors are licensed security guards and are specifically trained to provide hospitality assistance and crime prevention services to the DVBIA area.
The Ambassadors patrol a 90-block area both on foot and by bike, Monday to Friday from 7:00 am to 10:30 pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 am to 10:30 pm. The goal of the program is to address "quality of life" issues such as panhandling, litter, illegal vending, graffiti, etc., with the understanding that these issues not only affect the general quality of life in the downtown but also the overall crime rates. Like other licensed security guards, Ambassadors have limited authority to respond to criminal activity and other breaches of the law. Review What Guards Can and Cannot Do for more information.
The Ambassador Program is co-managed by the DVBIA and Genesis Security, a private security firm.
You can contact the DVBIA or Genesis Security to complain directly about a specific Ambassador or incident.
You can also lodge a public complaint about any licensed guard in BC by contacting the licensing authority. Review the Complaints Against Licensed Guards section of this site for more detail.
This section is being researched and will be added to soon.
Back to the Role of Security Page
