The Vancouver Police Foundation takes great pride in announcing that, as of the 25th of October 2009, the VPD Marine Unit has a new tool in the Marine policing of the waters surrounding the City of Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.

The FLIR (M-626L) Thermal Imaging Camera System, (Forward Looking Infra-Red Camera) with marine monitor, has been fitted to the Vancouver Police 33-foot patrol vessel “R.G.McBeath VC,” courtesy of funds provided by the Vancouver Police Foundation and the Department itself.

The system has four times the resolution and twice the range of earlier models, and incorporates a separate low-light camera. Both cameras in the system have 360-degree coverage on a horizontal plane, and 90-degrees on a vertical plane. The camera and monitor are operated from within the vessel, and give the vessel crews a night-time and restricted visibility capability that they did not previously have.

As the only full-time Marine Unit in the Lower Mainland, the Thermal Imaging unit allows the VPD Marine Unit to be more effective and pro-active in crime prevention, community policing, and security patrols, within the large maritime and foreshore environments. Safer and earlier resolution of suicide incidents on city bridges, as well as enhanced navigation with search and rescue capabilities, are other advantages the FLIR M-626L gives the VPD Marine Unit.

The system has already aided the Marine Unit in several of these types of incidents since its installation, and continues to be a valuable asset in the ever-expanding marine policing role.

Our Mission

The Vancouver Police Foundation promotes alternative funding to inspire innovative community partnerships with the Vancouver Police Department. These partnerships enhance public safety, foster professional development and fund unique neighbourhood initiatives to help make Vancouver the safest major city in Canada.

Contact

Valerie MacLean
Executive Director
Vancouver Police Foundation
t: (604) 717- 3700
e: vmaclean@vancouverpolicefoundation.org

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