British Columbia Provincial Police

The British Columbia Provincial Police (BCPP) is the main civilian law enforcement agency of the Canadian province of British Columbia, the third-most populous province of Canada. The constabulary is responsible for a population of just over 10.5 million spread across 33 counties, with each county assigned a BC Police detachment as well as all major urban areas. The BC Police is the fourth-largest constabulary operating in Canada, after the RCMP, Ontario Provincial Police and ''la Sûreté du Québec.

Organisation
The operations of the BCPP are divided between eleven directorates, each of which is commanded by a ranking assistant chief constable. Directorates each oversee a particular area of responsibility, although much of their activities overlap and/or collaborate in the course of normal police operations.

Directorates are composed of at least two divisions, which consist of several squads; squads are themselves divided into units, although some bodies directly subordinate to a division or even directorate are also referred to as "units" due to their smaller size; all the same, most units are the several components of a particular squad. Administrative bodies as well as forensics labs subordinate to a division are usually instead referred to as offices, and consist of civilian employees who are not sworn constables.

Divisions are commanded by ranking chief superintendents; squads are commanded by ranking superintendents, and some independent units are too commanded by a ranking superintendent. Regular units are commanded by a ranking sergeant, staff sergeant, inspector or detective inspector, and administrative offices and labs report to a particular ranking chief superintendent or superintendent, but have their own unique hierarchy due to their civilian status (see below).

Office of the Chief Constable

 * Units answerable directly to Chief Constable
 * Office of the Deputy Chief Constable (CC-DCC)
 * Plenum of Assistant Chief Constables (CC-ACC)
 * Legal Counsel Office (CC-LC)
 * Media Liaison Office (CC-ML)
 * US & International Liaison Office (CC-USI)
 * Interpol Liaison Office (CC-IP)
 * Office of Security Clearance Establishment (CC-SEC)
 * Office of Covert Operations Management (CC-COM)
 * Units answerable to Deputy Chief Constable
 * Chief Constable's Security Detail (CC-SecDet1)
 * Deputy Chief Constable's Security Detail (CC-SecDet2)
 * Crown Prosecution Authority Liaison Office (CC-CPA)
 * Planning, Research & Audit Section (CC-PRA)
 * PCC Liaison Office (CC-PCC)
 * External Law Enforcement Agencies Liaison Office (CC-LEA)
 * Professional Liaison Office (CC-PRO)
 * Budgetary Reporting Office (CC-BR)
 * Suppliers & Contractors Liaison Office (CC-SC)
 * Constabulary Pipe Band (CC-CPB)
 * Auxiliary Units
 * Office of Auxiliary Officer Secondment (Internal) (CC-AuxOSI)
 * Office of Auxiliary Officer Secondment (External) (CC-AuxOSE)
 * 1st Auxiliary Security Detail Unit (CC-AuxSecDet1)
 * 2nd Auxiliary Security Detail Unit (CC-AuxSecDet2)
 * 3rd Auxiliary Security Detail Unit (CC-AuxSecDet3)
 * Auxiliary Tactical Firearms Command (CC-AuxTFC)
 * Auxiliary Criminal Intelligence Unit (CC-AuxCI)
 * Auxiliary Narcotics Unit (CC-AuxNarc)

Directorate of Public Relations

 * Public Relations Division
 * Office of Public Relations Strategy (PR-PRS)
 * Office of Media Relations (PR-MED)
 * Office of Public Communications (PR-COM)
 * Press Conference Unit (PR-CON)
 * Sensitive Information Unit (PR-SI)
 * Constabulary Censor (PR-CNS)
 * Auxiliary Public Relations Unit (PR-Aux)
 * Public Services Division
 * Victim Services Unit (PS-VS)
 * Family Services Unit (PS-FS)
 * Judicial Liaison Office (PS-JL)
 * Corrections Liaison Office (PS-CL)
 * Corporate/Business Liaison Office (PS-BL)
 * Office of Information Protection Standards (PS-IPS)
 * Victims' Security Detail Unit (PS-VSecDet)
 * Remand Security Detail Unit (PS-RSecDet)
 * Covert Security Detail Unit (PS-CovSecDet)

Patrol Directorate
The Patrol Directorate is composed of uniformed constables (as well as some plainclothes) who are responsible for frontline patrol, both traffic and beat patrols, as well as responding to emergency calls/situations. Units (including non-police emergency services such as the fire department of each county and the British Columbia Ambulance Service) who are the first to respond to an emergency scene may immediately (on their way or upon arriving) request assistance from other patrol and similar units, and other directorates' and/or divisions' units at their discretion, such as CID units as well as units of nearby constabularies and local detachments of the British Columbia Sheriff Service or RCMP, as the situation requires.

Each division subordinate to the Patrol Directorate covers a specific geographical area of the Lower Mainland Police Area (except the Marine Patrol Division and Auxiliary Division), which form the Patrol Directorate's areas of jurisdiction (of which there are ten); within the Patrol Directorate, a single unit consists of two partnered constables, sometimes including a third auxiliary member, while a squad consists of three units answering to a sergeant, who, along with independent units, answer to a staff sergeant.

Auxiliary units can be attached to any of the ten geographical divisions when extra backup is necessary, and fall under that division's jurisdiction during their attachment. CID (which is the premier plainclothes detective agency of the constabulary) has jurisdiction in all parts of the Lower Mainland Police Area, while virtually all standard directorates/divisions outside CID target specific types of crimes or a type of crime, which nearby units and squads of the Patrol Directorate are responsible for assisting according to officers' particular areas of operational jurisdiction.


 * "A" Division: Lower Mainland
 * 1st Patrol Squad (PT-A1)
 * 2nd Patrol Squad (PT-A2)
 * 3rd Patrol Squad (PT-A3)
 * 4th Patrol Squad (PT-A4)
 * 5th Patrol Squad (PT-A5)
 * 6th Patrol Squad (PT-A6)
 * 7th Patrol Squad (PT-A7)
 * 8th Patrol Squad (PT-A8)
 * 9th Patrol Squad (PT-A9)
 * 1st Recon Squad (REC-A1)
 * 2nd Recon Squad (REC-A2)
 * 3rd Recon Squad (REC-A3)
 * 4th Recon Squad (REC-A4)
 * 5th Recon Squad (REC-A5)
 * 1st Emergency (First Response) Squad (EFR-A1)
 * 2nd Emergency (First Response) Squad (EFR-A2)
 * 3rd Emergency (First Response) Squad (EFR-A3)
 * 4th Emergency (First Response) Unit (EFR-A4)
 * 5th Emergency (First Response) Unit (EFR-A5)
 * 1st Traffic Squad (TRF-A1)
 * 2nd Traffic Squad (TRF-A2)
 * 3rd Traffic Squad (TRF-A3)
 * 4th Traffic Squad (TRF-A4)
 * 5th Traffic Squad (TRF-A5)
 * 6th Traffic Unit (TRF-A6)
 * 7th Traffic Unit (TRF-A7)
 * 1st Beat (Foot Patrol) Squad (BFP-A1)
 * 2nd Beat (Foot Patrol) Squad (BFP-A2)
 * 3rd Beat (Foot Patrol) Squad (BFP-A3)
 * 1st Mounted Patrol Unit (MP-A1)
 * 2nd Mounted Patrol Unit (MP-A2)
 * 1st K9 Unit (K9-A1)
 * 2nd K9 Unit (K9-A2)
 * 3rd K9 Unit (K9-A3)
 * 4th K9 Unit (K9-A4)
 * 5th K9 Unit (K9-A5)
 * UBC Campus Security Unit (CampSec-UVIC-A)
 * Auxiliary Patrol Division
 * 1st Auxiliary Patrol Squad (PT-Aux1)
 * 2nd Auxiliary Patrol Squad (PT-Aux2)
 * 3rd Auxiliary Patrol Squad (PT-Aux3)
 * 1st Auxiliary Reconnaissance Squad (REC-Aux1)
 * 2nd Auxiliary Reconnaissance Squad (REC-Aux2)
 * 1st Auxiliary Emergency (First Response) Squad (EFR-Aux1)
 * 2nd Auxiliary Emergency (First Response) Squad (EFR-Aux2)
 * 3rd Auxiliary Emergency (First Response) Squad (EFR-Aux3)
 * 4th Auxiliary Emergency (First Response) Unit (EFR-Aux4)
 * 5th Auxiliary Emergency (First Response) Unit (EFR-Aux5)
 * 1st Auxiliary Traffic Squad (TRF-Aux1)
 * 2nd Auxiliary Traffic Squad (TRF-Aux2)
 * 3rd Auxiliary Traffic Squad (TRF-Aux3)
 * 1st Auxiliary K9 Unit (K9-Aux1)
 * 2nd Auxiliary K9 Unit (K9-Aux2)

Transit Patrol Directorate
Responsible for patrolling the public bus system and rapid transit system covering the Lower Mainland; it is responsible for providing first response capabilities to 911 and non-emergency calls on the transit system by both passengers and employees.


 * Commuter Rail Division
 * West Coast Express Unit (TR-11)
 * Howe Sound Express Unit (TR-12)
 * 1st K9 Unit (K9-TR4)
 * 2nd K9 Unit (K9-TR5)
 * 3rd K9 Unit (K9-TR6)
 * Translink Division
 * 1st Bus Patrol Squad (TR-13)
 * 2nd Bus Patrol Squad (TR-14)
 * 3rd Bus Patrol Squad (TR-15)
 * 4th Bus Patrol Squad (TR-14)
 * 1st Rapid Bus Patrol Squad (TR-17)
 * 2nd Rapid Bus Patrol Unit (TR-18)
 * 3rd Rapid Bus Patrol Unit (TR-19)
 * 1st Skytrain Squad (TR-20)
 * 2nd Skytrain Squad (TR-21)
 * 3rd Skytrain Squad (TR-22)
 * K9 Unit (K9-TR7)
 * BC Transit Division
 * 1st Bus Patrol Squad (TR-23)
 * 2nd Bus Patrol Squad (TR-24)
 * 3rd Bus Patrol Unit (TR-25)
 * 4th Bus Patrol Unit (TR-26)
 * 5th Bus Patrol Unit (TR-27)
 * 6th Bus Patrol Unit (TR-28)
 * 7th Bus Patrol Unit (TR-29)
 * Special Transit Security Squad (TR-30)
 * Transit Investigation Division
 * CCTV Unit (TR-CCTV)
 * Audio Surveillance Unit (TR-AUD)
 * Facial Recognition Unit (TR-FR)
 * Incident Investigation Unit (TR-INV)
 * TransLink/Coast Mountain Liaison Office (TR-LO)

Criminal Investigation Directorate (CID)
This directorate consists of units of plainclothes officers each typically led by a superintendent, detective chief inspector or detective inspector; they are responsible for investigating crimes after they occur, especially serious crimes like murder, as well as most undercover operations.


 * Major Crime Division
 * Homicide Squad (MC-1)
 * Auxiliary Homicide Unit (MC-Aux1)
 * Major Violent Crime Squad (MC-2)
 * Home Invasion & Major Theft Unit (MC-3)
 * Auto Theft Unit (MC-4)
 * Auxiliary Theft Unit (MC-Aux2)
 * Major Domestic Violence Unit (MC-5)
 * Organized Crime Squad (MC-6)
 * Armed Robbery Unit (MC-7)
 * Traffic Crimes & Major Traffic Incidents Squad (MC-8)
 * Narcotics Squad (MC-9)
 * Special Victims Unit (MC-SVU)
 * Tactical Crime Division
 * 1st Tactical Crime Squad (TC-1)
 * 2nd Tactical Crime Squad (TC-2)
 * Tactical Anti-Kidnapping Unit (TC-3)
 * 1st Auxiliary Tactical Unit (TC-Aux1)
 * 2nd Auxiliary Tactical Unit (TC-Aux2)
 * Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women Task Force (MMIW-TF)
 * Missing Persons Division
 * 1st Missing Persons Squad (MI-1)
 * 2nd Missing Persons Squad (MI-2)
 * 3rd Missing Persons Squad (MI-3)
 * Tactical Search & Rescue Squad (MI-4)
 * Auxiliary Missing Persons Unit (MI-5)
 * Vice Division
 * Human Trafficking/Prostitution Squad (VI-1)
 * 1st Sex Crimes Unit (VI-2)
 * 2nd Sex Crimes Unit (VI-3)
 * Tactical Organized Crime Squad (VI-4)
 * Criminal Intelligence Office (VI-INTEL)
 * Confidential Informant Office (VI-CHIS)
 * Tactical Narcotics Command (VI-NARTAC)
 * Auxiliary Narcotics Unit (VI-Aux1)
 * Weapons Trafficking and Gun Recovery Unit (VI-5)
 * Auxiliary Gun Recovery Unit (VI-Aux2)
 * Financial Crimes & Fraud Division
 * Anti-Laundering Squad (FF-1)
 * Serious Financial Crimes Unit (FF-2)
 * Insurance Claims Fraud Unit (FF-3)
 * Fraud Unit (FF-4)
 * Auxiliary Fraud Unit (FF-Aux1)
 * Public Anticorruption & Accountability Unit (FF-5)
 * Illegal Gambling Unit (FF-6)
 * Racketeering Unit (FF-7)
 * Tax Evasion/Audits Unit (FF-8)
 * Auxiliary Audits Unit (FF-Aux2)
 * Antitrust/Speculation Unit (FF-9)
 * Covert Fraud Investigation Unit (FF-10)

Counterterrorism Directorate (CTD)
This directorate is responsible for both intelligence regarding foreign and domestic terrorist threats, as well as heavily-armed physical response to such threats.


 * Strategic Counterterrorism Division
 * Strategic Firearms Command (8 squads) – (CT-SFC)
 * 1st Explosives Ordnance Disposal Unit (CT-EOD1)
 * 2nd Explosives Ordnance Disposal Unit (CT-EOD2)
 * National Counterterrorism Liaison Office (CT-LI)
 * Tactical Counterterrorism Division
 * 1st Tactical Riot Response Unit (CT-TAC1)
 * 2nd Tactical Riot Response Unit (CT-TAC2)
 * 3rd Tactical Riot Response Unit (CT-TAC3)
 * Hostage Crisis/Negotiation Squad (CT-NEG)
 * 1st Auxiliary Tactical Response Unit (CT-TACAux1)
 * 2nd Auxiliary Tactical Response Unit (CT-TACAux2)
 * Counterterrorism Intelligence Division
 * Terrorist Groups Intelligence Squad (CT-TGINT)
 * Auxiliary Intelligence Unit (CT-INTAux)
 * 1st Domestic Counterterrorism Unit (CT-DOM1)
 * 2nd Domestic Counterterrorism Unit (CT-DOM2)

Cybercrime Directorate (CCD)

 * Internet Crimes Division
 * Cybercrime Squad (CY-I1)
 * 1st Auxiliary Cybercrime Unit (CY-Aux1)
 * 2nd Auxiliary Cybercrime Unit (CY-Aux2)
 * Digital Footprint Unit (CY-I2)
 * Metadata Unit (CY-I3)
 * Cryptography Unit (CY-I4)
 * Interdivisional Cyber Support Division
 * Cyber Fraud Unit (CY-S1)
 * Online Scams Unit (CY-S2)
 * Hacking & Phishing Unit (CY-S3)
 * Cyberintelligence Unit (CY-S4)

Air Support Directorate (ASD)

 * 1st Rotary Wing Patrol Unit (AP-1)
 * 2nd Rotary Wing Patrol Unit (AP-2)
 * 3rd Rotary Wing Patrol Unit (AP-3)
 * Police Aviation Training Unit (KPA-PAT)
 * Transport & Logistics Unit (AP-TL)
 * Executive Air Transport Unit (AP-EX)
 * UAV/Drone Unit (AP-UAV)
 * 1st Auxiliary Air Transport Unit (AP-Aux1)
 * 2nd Auxiliary Air Transport Unit (AP-Aux2)

Directorate of Internal Affairs

 * Internal Affairs, Unit 4 (IA4)
 * Internal Affairs, Unit 5 (IA5)
 * Internal Affairs, Unit 9 (IA9)

Forensics Directorate

 * Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Division
 * 1st Mobile Forensic Investigation Unit (CSI-M1)
 * 2nd Mobile Forensic Investigation Unit (CSI-M2)
 * 3rd Mobile Forensic Investigation Unit (CSI-M3)
 * 1st Crime Scene Evidence Unit (CSI-EV1)
 * 2nd Crime Scene Evidence Unit (CSI-EV2)
 * 3rd Crime Scene Evidence Unit (CSI-EV3)
 * 1st Mobile Postmortem Forensic Unit (CSI-PM1)
 * 2nd Mobile Postmortem Forensic Unit (CSI-PM2)
 * Witness Interview Unit (CSI-WI)
 * Mobile Ballistics Unit (CSI-MB)
 * Mobile HAZMAT Forensics Unit (CSI-HM)
 * Forensic Lab Division
 * 1st Victim Forensic Unit (FL-VF1)
 * 2nd Victim Forensic Unit (FL-VF2)
 * Postmortem Forensic Lab (FL-PM)
 * Forensic Psychology Unit (FL-FP)
 * Financial Forensic Unit (FL-FF)
 * Virtual Forensic Lab (FL-VF)
 * Ballistics Lab (FL-BL)
 * Electronic/Digital Forensic Lab (FL-EDF)
 * Communications Investigation Unit (FL-COM)
 * Automatic Number-Plate Recognition Command (FL-ANPR)
 * Evidence & Impound Division
 * 1st Armoured Evidence Transport Unit (EV-AR1)
 * 2nd Armoured Evidence Transport Unit (EV-AR2)
 * Mary Hill Depot (EV-MHD)
 * Burns Bog Depot (EV-BBD)
 * Annacis Island Depot (EV-AID)
 * Burnaby Vehicle Impound Centre (EV-VIC1)
 * Abbotsford Vehicle Impound Centre (EV-VIC2)
 * Contraband Incineration Facility (EV-CIF)

Communications & Logistics Directorate (CLD)

 * Equipment Requisition & Financial Division
 * Constabulary Budget Office (CL-CB)
 * Financial Reporting Office (CL-FR)
 * Communications Equipment Procurement Office (CL-COMPRO)
 * Tactical Equipment Procurement Office (CL-TACPRO)
 * Uniforms Procurement Office (CL-UNIPRO)
 * Auxiliary Hardware Procurement Office (CL-AUXPRO)
 * Communications & Dispatch Division
 * 1st Emergency Dispatch Unit (CL-ED1)
 * 2nd Emergency Dispatch Unit (CL-ED2)
 * 3rd Emergency Dispatch Unit (CL-ED3)
 * SitRep/Personnel Activity Unit (CL-SitRep)
 * Airwave Radio Coordination Unit (CL-Coor)
 * 1st Tactical Communications Unit (CL-TAC1)
 * 2nd Tactical Communications Unit (CL-TAC2)
 * Airwave & Communications Maintenance/Technical Unit (CL-AirTech)
 * Armoury Division
 * Colebrook Road Armoury (CL-AR1)
 * East Kilgard Armoury (CL-AR2)
 * Hastings Armoury (CL-AR3)
 * Jericho Armoury (CL-AR4)
 * IT Division
 * 1st Mobile IT Unit (CL-IT1)
 * 2nd Mobile IT Unit (CL-IT2)
 * 3rd Mobile IT Unit (CL-IT3)
 * 4th Mobile IT Unit (CL-IT4)
 * 5th Mobile IT Unit (CL-IT5)
 * Vehicle Maintenance Division
 * 1st Police Interceptor Maintenance Unit (CL-VM1)
 * 2nd Police Interceptor Maintenance Unit (CL-VM2)
 * Aircraft Maintenance Unit (CL-VM3)
 * Armoured Vehicle Maintenance Unit (CL-VM4)
 * Maritime Maintenance Unit (CL-VM5)

Human Resources Directorate

 * Recruitment Division
 * 1st Recruitment Unit (HR-RCR1)
 * 2nd Recruitment Unit (HR-RCR2)
 * 3rd Recruitment Unit (HR-RCR3)
 * Medical & Psychological Standards Unit (HR-MPS)
 * Aptitude Testing Unit (HR-APT)
 * Background Screening Unit (HR-BGS)
 * Placement Unit (HR-PL)
 * Personnel Division
 * Transfers Unit (HR-TS)
 * Officer Records Unit (HR-REC1)
 * Medical Records Unit (HR-REC2)
 * Personnel Medical Clinic (HR-MED)
 * Bodycam Registry Unit (HR-BCR)
 * Retainment & Payroll Unit (HR-RP)
 * Accreditation Unit (HR-ACR)
 * Alumni Unit (HR-AL)
 * Personnel Counselling Unit (HR-PC)
 * Family Counselling Unit (HR-FC)
 * Kennedy Police Academy
 * Medical Vetting Unit (KPA-MED)
 * Vetting & Background Unit (KPA-VB)
 * 1st Cadets Class (KPA-C1)
 * 2nd Cadets Class (KPA-C2)
 * 3rd Cadets Class (KPA-C3)
 * 4th Cadets Class (KPA-C4)
 * 5th Cadets Class (KPA-C5)
 * BCSS Cadets Class (KPA-SS)
 * Firearms Training Unit (KPA-FT)
 * Advanced Driving Training Unit (KPA-AD)
 * Self-Defence Training Unit (KPA-SD)
 * Advanced Self-Defence Training Unit (KPA-ASD)
 * Nonviolent Intervention/Negotiation Training Unit (KPA-NEG)
 * Nonlethal Weapons Training Unit (KPA-NLW)
 * Ethics Training Unit (KPA-ETH)
 * Sexual Policy Training Unit (KPA-SEX)
 * Antidiscrimination Training Unit (KPA-AntiDis)
 * Detainment and Jailing Training Unit (KPA-DJ)
 * Bomb Disposal Training Unit (KPA-EOD)
 * Academy Instructors' Squad (KPA-IN)
 * Academy Administrative Unit (KPA-AD)
 * Academy & Grounds Maintenance Unit (KPA-MU)
 * Academy Guards Unit (KPA-GU)
 * Academy IT Unit (KPA-IT)
 * Academy Class Testing Unit (KPA-ACT)
 * Academy Graduation Certification Unit (KPA-AGC)

Rank structure
The following system of ranks applies to all constables (sworn officers) of the Lower Mainland Constabulary; civilian employees, such as administrative staff or forensics professionals and other specialists, do not use this ranking system but rather a three-tiered system reminiscent of corporate hierarchies.

All police rank insignia are worn as epaulettes atop both shoulders while in uniform (both indoor office dress and outdoor working uniform), and rank title and corresponding insignia are also included on an officer's warrant card (the proof of police officer status attached to the inside of an officer's wallet, which also includes official photo ID and embossed silver police badge, which is distinct from the laminated photo ID required to be worn on a loose band hung round any police employee's neck while in a constabulary building or judicial institution), allowing plainclothes and/or undercover officers to prove their police status and rank when necessary.

All officers have their badge number displayed prominently as part of their warrant card's embossed badge, while only the two lowest ranks (constable and sergeant) have their badge number displayed on their epaulettes as well; this is for tactical purposes, as police response often involves the presence of multiple constables and even sergeants (especially larger incidents), making it easier for senior ranking officers to distinguish between the multiple officers under their command.

Civilian ranks
Employees of the constabulary who are not sworn constables (police officers) account for just under one fifth of personnel, and are referred to as civilian personnel (although this is technically a misnomer, as sworn constables are in actuality also civilians, at least as distinguished from military personnel; nevertheless, this is the terminology used in police departments across the country). Civilian personnel fill all sorts of roles, including but not limited to administrative and human resources staff, personal aides, forensics, scientific, IT and other experts, pilots, doctors and medics, maintenance personnel, mechanics, etc.

Civilian staff use a three-tiered ranking system which resembles a simplified corporate-style hierarchy. While all civilian personnel have their civilian rank displayed on their photo ID card (which, like sworn constables, must be worn on a band round their neck at all times while on duty in a constabulary building or judicial institution), the most distinguishing mark is necktie colour.

The highest civilian rank (director) typically answers to a sworn constable (police officer) of the superintendent or chief superintendent rank, although this varies in certain situations; for example, each directorate of the constabulary has a civilian director who is responsible for leading the administrative side of the directorate, and thus reports to the Assistant Chief Constable in charge of the directorate. Technically, however, all civilian personnel are subordinate in rank to all sworn constables irrespective of police rank.

Security clearance
The Lower Mainland Constabulary uses a five-tiered hierarchy of security clearance, each tier dictating the investigational/operational information and evidence to which an officer or civilian employee may have access, based on said materials' sensitivity. Different police divisions and units require differing security clearance levels, depending on the sensitivity of work they do.

All sworn constables are required to have the lowest (fifth) level, while civilian personnel are only required to have a security clearance if their particular role requires it, with many civilian personnel including the great majority of administrative personnel having no security clearance.

Below is a table of the five tiers of security clearance, starting from the highest tier to the lowest. Each tier possesses a codename as well as a colour code; the colour code is used to mark security clearance-protected documents, and also appears on an officer's warrant card and ID card as well as a civilian employee's ID card to indicate the level of security clearance possessed.

While all sworn constables are required to have at least the "echo" (fifth and lowest) security clearance level, much of the constabulary’s investigations and operations, especially those of the Patrol and Transit Patrol directorates, as well as many units of the Criminal Investigation Directorate, are not considered "classified"; that is, civilian staff working in such directorates do not require even the lowest level of security clearance to access the information needed to do their job, and therefore are for the most part without it, and that information and/or evidence gathered by the police in the course of an investigation is not privileged and in fact fully open and accessible to the public under the Access to Information Act.

Operations covered by any security clearance level, however, are considered classified and may not be shared or even discussed with outside parties or constabulary employees not possessing the adequate security clearance level, according to the constabulary's regulations. The higher the security clearance level, the more severe the punishment for leaking classified information protected by that level to parties not possessing the proper level affording them the right to access said classified information: leakage of the lowest three levels (echo, delta and charlie) is punishable by suspension from all duties and unpaid leave, the duration of which is longer the higher the level of security clearance disregarded (between two and six months), while leakage of information protected by the second-highest level (bravo) is punishable by immediate dishonourable discharge from the force and usually the loss of retirement pension and/or unemployment insurance, and leakage of information protected by the highest level (alpha) is punishable by a prison sentence of at least five years.

Uniform
The standard uniform for all sworn constables is as follows; note that uniformed officers on desk duty are required to wear only the first four items and may remove all attachments including gun from belt, while officers on outdoor duty must wear full uniform (except for long-sleeved jacket, which is optional, but standard during colder months):


 * 1) Gray-blue cotton trousers of the western slack style; two open front pockets, two snap-fastened back pockets, and one zipper-fastened pocket on outer side of each leg just above and behind the knee; a purple stripe running down the outer side of each trouser leg, from belt to cuff, one inch in width; summertime bicycle patrol or ATV beach patrol constables may substitute for matching shorts (excluding purple stripes and fifth and sixth zippered pockets).
 * 2) White tucked-in dress shirt (both sides of collar have a single navy blue button to hold in place, in addition to same buttons holding shirt closed from collar to waist), with navy blue tie held in place by silver tie clip, and buttoned epaulettes fitted with navy blue sleeve displaying rank insignia, and standard LMC shoulder flash sewn below epaulettes on each shoulder side, flag of Canada sewn under right-hand shoulder flash and flag of BC under left-hand shoulder flash; left-hand breast pocket opposite name tag over right-hand breast; shirt comes in short- and long-sleeve variants.
 * 3) Light, leather, laced black combat boots with steel toe and hidden tactical knife holster attached to boot of choice; officers on desk duty may instead wear approved dress shoes, as well as plainclothes detectives.
 * 4) Grommet-style leather duty belt to fasten pants at waist; specially designed with riveted holes to allow attachment of leather handgun holster, up to three leather single-magazine holsters, leather flashlight holster, leather taser holster, leather baton/nightstick holster, leather pepper spray holster, leather zipped-compartment double handcuff holster, deluxe leather key holster (with both interior and exterior keyring attachment), leather holster for safety and forensics gloves, leather case for police notepad, leather holster for service cellphone, holster for police radio with in/out speaker connected by spiral cable held in place above left breast (if right-handed, right breast if left-handed) by small holster attached to collar button; belt fastened by heavy duty stainless steel buckle, and fed through trouser belt loops prior to attachment of above equipment.
 * 5) Navy blue bulletproof vest with removable snap-fastened breast pockets (name tag sewn to right-hand breast pocket as vest obscures shirt name tag) and three additional removable magazine holsters; navy blue-and-white dicing (checkered pattern known as sillitoe tartan) made from light-reflective material displayed across back of vest, above large word "POLICE" printed in orange from same reflective material; if not wearing uniform jacket, white shirt's epaulettes with attached rank sleeve are buttoned over shoulder straps of bulletproof vest so as not to obscure rank insignia. Optional version of bulletproof vest is made from reflective yellow-green material with same markings as regular version.
 * 6) Optional long-sleeved zipper-fastened gray-blue jacket worn over bulletproof vest (with bulletproof vest front pockets removed, replaced by breast pockets and clip-on options for additional pockets and/or magazine holsters on front of jacket); like white dress shirt, jacket includes right-hand breast name tag as others are obscured by jacket, has epaulettes buttoned in place with sleeves displaying rank insignia, and shoulder flash sewn below epaulettes on shoulder side, flag of Canada sewn under right-hand shoulder flash and flag of BC under left-hand shoulder flash; same navy blue-and-white dicing and "POLICE" (both light-reflective) as on bulletproof vest displayed on back of jacket. There is an alternative jacket that is made entirely from reflective yellow-green material, with same markings as other jacket and bulletproof vest.
 * 7) Standard-issue police hat, band with navy blue-and-white dicing, and embossed constabulary badge displayed in centre of hat's front over band; female officers wear same hat, although it is not mandatory outdoors as for male officers.

Counterterrorism uniform
Officers of the counterterrorism directorate wear all of the above, except the police hat is swapped for a navy blue military helmet with visor while operating, and shoulder belt is worn for extra magazine holsters for assault rifle.

Dress uniform
All sworn constables have a dress uniform which consists of:


 * 1) Same white button-down dress shirt as above, but must be long-sleeved.
 * 2) Grey-blue button-up vest worn above dress shirt.
 * 3) Navy blue blazer with two rows of three golden buttons, complete with gold-buttoned epaulettes displaying rank insignia, but without shoulder flash.
 * 4) Same slacks as above including purple stripes, but navy blue and without zipper-fastened fifth and sixth pockets.
 * 5) Laced ten-hole black dress shoes as opposed to laced combat boots.
 * 6) Same belt as above, but only radio holster and handgun holster attached (and handgun, if permitted by event).
 * 7) Same standard-issue police hat, optional for females.
 * 8) All awards worn around neck, decorations and honours pinned to left-hand breast pocket along with badge, and name tag sewn to right-hand breast pocket.

Virtually all sworn constables only wear the dress uniform for official events like graduations, funerals and celebrations; the top three executive ranks (assistant chief constable, deputy chief constable, and chief constable) are known to regularly wear their dress uniform to work, only wearing their working uniform when actually in the field with lower-ranking officers (which is relatively rare, occurring from time to time during large operations).

Detective uniform
Unlike many police agencies, like those in the United Kingdom, Lower Mainland Constabulary detectives (ie. those who investigate crimes after the fact, usually in plainclothes) must be of the rank inspector or above, with the first three ranks (constable, sergeant and staff sergeant) required to wear their service uniform at all times while on duty unless working undercover. Many officers of the lowest three ranks work in detective-type directorates and units, but in a support position and primarily on desk and interview duty; the actual footwork performed by detectives in plainclothes is reserved to inspectors, detective inspectors and detective chief inspectors, although officers ranked superintendent and higher are sometimes directly involved in investigation work.

Such plainclothes detectives work for the Criminal Investigation Directorate (CID) or similar detective-type directorates like the Directorate of Internal Affairs and the Cybercrime Directorate; they generally wear formal business-style plainclothes, consisting of a suit and tie for men (often skipping the blazer during hotter months) and a wider range of formal and semi-formal dress options for female detectives. However, officers below the rank of inspector must wear the indoor uniform, and superintendents and chief superintendents working in these departments are also known to typically wear the same indoor uniform rather than plainclothes, as detective work is the primary responsibility of ranked inspectors, detective inspectors and detective chief inspectors, as mentioned above.

Undercover dress
Sworn officers of any rank who are working undercover (whether just on the beat in plainclothes, or in deep cover amongst criminals) are free to wear any type of civilian clothes, and are encouraged to wear the type of clothing that would most readily blend with the environment to which they are assigned. Less serious undercover officers (like beat officers) still wear the belt with at least radio, handgun, handcuffs and pepper spray, and tactical knife holster attached to boot or lower leg, whereas deep cover officers do not sport anything of the sort, and use a civilian-style shoulder-mounted holster for their service handgun, and perhaps a civilian-style belt holster for a tactical knife, both only if applicable.

Civilian uniform
Civilian employees wear the same white dress shirt with white epaulettes, but no navy blue sleeve showing rank insignia covers epaulettes; dress shirt is also button-down, and includes tie, colour depending on civilian rank (see ranks, including civilian ranks, above). Civilians also wear same grey-blue pants and dress shoes as those worn with sworn officers' dress uniforms, although slacks have no purple stripe.