Puerto Rico Police Selects L-3 Wescam for Tactical Surveillance
24 Nov 2004 RTORONTO RTo support its airborne law enforcement, drug interdiction and border patrol missions, the Puerto Rico Police Department has selected L-3 WESCAM’s imaging and wireless technology to provide immediate situational awareness through fully-integrated, air-to-ground tactical surveillance solutions. Multi-sensor electro-optical and infrared imaging systems will be mounted on Bell 407s and an F406 Vigilant (REIMS Aviation). MX-Pods, providing long range transmission of real-time video and audio from the Bell 407s will transmit airborne data to hand-held receivers. L-3 WESCAM’s technology will capture and transmit precise Imagery Intelligence, allowing real-time strategic plans to be established, rationalized and executed on a moment’s notice. The solutions include a fully integrated Moving Map from AeroComputers to ensure crews have a geographic reference to visual imagery. System deliveries are scheduled for February and March 2005. L-3 WESCAM has been enhancing the capabilities of airborne support units for over 20 years. Some of its ALE customers include: NYPD, Erie County Police, Salt Lake City County Office, Greater Manchester Police, Belgium Federal Police, Korean National Police and the Basque Police. L-3 WESCAM is a world leader in the design and manufacture of stabilized, multi-spectral airborne imaging systems. www.wescam.com.

RCMP Drug Awareness and Policing Partners Launch Drugs and Sport Program for Young Hockey Athletes in the Greater Toronto Area
07 Sept 2004 ̵TORONTO ̵ An initiative aimed at supporting young athletes in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and encouraging them to play hockey "drug free" was announced at noon today at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. This initiative is a joint venture between the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Drug Awareness Service and the Greater Toronto Hockey League. This initiative is modeled on the successful youth-oriented program led by Drug Awareness Service and the Quebec AAA Midget Hockey League over the past five hockey seasons. The RCMP Drug Awareness Service and the Hockey Hall of Fame's partnership over the past 11 years has helped educate young players and their parents about the dangers of using performance enhancing drugs. The strong association between hockey role models and drug education efforts will continue to assist young athletes to make healthy, ethical choices on and off the ice. The Quebec Hockey League has been an avid supporter and has helped bring strong anti-drug messages to youth in sports for the past five years. As part of the Drug Awareness initiative, the RCMP and peace officers from several other law enforcement agencies provide guidance to young hockey players as "Drug Awareness Mentors". These mentors are positive role models who provide positive interaction and support for team members. The RCMP and fellow law enforcement organizations, players, parents and coaches involved in junior hockey leagues share a common goal of developing strong athletes capable of making the right choices. Early and continued action is required if we are to successfully encourage young people to play the game they love while remaining drug-free. This must be achieved through both prevention and education efforts. Through the continued co-operation of all law enforcement and community partners, young athletes will continue to be better prepared to face outside pressures and make informed decisions about the use of doping substances.

Criminal Intelligence Service Canada releases its 2004 Annual Report
20 Aug 2004 –VANCOUVER – Criminal Intelligence Service Canada (CISC) released its "2004 Annual Report on Organized Crime in Canada." The Report was presented by CISC Executive Committee Chair and Royal Canadian Mounted Police Commissioner, Giuliano Zaccardelli. Police chiefs and representatives of CISC¹s member agencies from across Canada gathered to continue the integration of criminal intelligence efforts to support the prevention, detection and reduction of organized and other serious crime in Canada. CISC¹s 2004 Annual Report provides the Canadian public with information on regional and national trends on organized and other serious crime affecting Canada. In providing this information, CISC helps to raise the public¹s awareness of the complexity and prevalence of organized crime in Canada. This year¹s report also contains, for the first time, information on the socio-economic impacts of organized and serious crime on Canadian communities. The information contained in this Annual Report was gathered by the 380 CISC member agencies which include federal, provincial, regional and municipal police departments and various law enforcement, intelligence and regulatory agencies. "CISC is a valuable asset to all police and law enforcement agencies," said Toronto Police Chief Julian Fantino, Vice Chair, CISC Executive Committee. "CISC¹s products and services allow us to allocate our shared resources more efficiently. They also allow us to better define criminals and criminal organizations we should target." This year¹s report highlights the key threats posed by organized crime groups and activities identified as national intelligence priorities and monitored issues by the CISC Executive Committee. The report notes that Asian organized crime will continue to pose a major threat in Canada through its multiple, sophisticated criminal activities, its significant criminal influence in many areas across the country, and its supply of illicit drugs to other organized crime groups. The report also finds that Eastern European-based crime groups form strategic partnerships with other organized crime groups in Canada and internationally to help carry out their criminal enterprises. Organized crime groups exploit any potential conduit to move illicit commodities from source or transit countries to their illegal consumer markets in Canada, in particular marine ports, airports or across land border areas. The following themes have also been noted in this year¹s report: * All organized crime groups are involved in illicit firearm activities in some manner and individual gang members often possess numerous firearms of various types. * There is no indication that organized crime has infiltrated the primary diamond industry in Canada. * Technological advances are facilitating the sexual exploitation of children through the increased availability of child pornography in Canada and internationally. * Emerging technologies also offer new potential means of committing established crimes such as money laundering and fraud. The 2004 Annual Report on Organized Crime in Canada can be obtained from CISC¹s website at www.cisc.gc.ca. For additional details on the report¹s conclusions see the 2004 CISC Annual Report - Highlights document on the website. Enquiries about the Report should be directed to the Central Bureau of CISC at (613) 949-2774 or by e-mail at webmaster@cisc.gc.ca.