NCJ Number
61663
Journal
Canadian Police Chief Volume: 68 Issue: 3 Dated: (SUMMER 1979) Pages: 39-42
Date Published
1979
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THE HISTORY, FUNCTION, AND STRUCTURE OF THE NATIONAL HARBORS BOARD POLICE (NHBP), ESTABLISHED IN CANADA BETWEEN 1838 AND 1851, ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THIS FORCE IS PAID OUT OF PORT REVENUES RATHER THAN GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS. ITS ACTIVITIES ORIGINALLY CENTERED AROUND MONTREAL AND QUEBEC, BUT HAVE EXPANDED GREATLY. FOLLOWING A BREAKDOWN OF LAW AND ORDER IN THE PORTS, SEPARATELY ADMINISTERED FORCES FOR EACH PORT WERE CONSOLIDATED INTO ONE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION IN 1968. CURRENTLY, THE NHBP IS ORGANIZED LIKE REGULAR CANADIAN POLICE AGENCIES. ITS HEADQUARTERS IS IN OTTAWA, AND POLICE DETACHMENTS ARE AT ST. JOHN'S, HALIFAX, SAINT JOHN, QUEBEC, MONTREAL, VANCOUVER, AND CHURCHILL. SMALLER PORTS ARE SERVED BY THE NEAREST PORT POLICE DETACHMENT. FUNCTIONS INCLUDE INVESTIGATION, INTELLIGENCE, CRIME PREVENTION, PHYSICAL SECURITY, NATIONAL SECURITY, RESPONSIBILITIES AND EMERGENCY PLANNING. LIAISON IS MAINTAINED WITH BOTH CANADIAN AND OTHER POLICE FORCES. POLICE FORCE MEMBERS HAVE ALL POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF OTHER CANADIAN POLICE OFFICERS; SECURITY GUARDS ARE TRAINED AND SUPERVISED BY REGULAR NHB POLICE. AT THE INSTIGATION OF THE NHBP'S DIRECTOR, THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF AIRPORT AND SEAPORT POLICE WAS FORMED TO PROVIDE A FORUM FOR DISCUSSING MEASURES TO DETECT AND PREVENT CRIMINAL ACTIVITY AFFECTING INTERNATIONAL CARGO, PARTICULARLY THEFT. FAST COMMUNICATION AMONG DIFFERENT POLICE BODIES AND PROMPT REPORTING OF LOSSES BY THE SHIPPING INDUSTRY ARE NECESSARY FOR EFFECTIVE ENFORCEMENT. THE NHBP'S MISSING CARGO REPORT PROGRAM HAS SUCCESSFULLY LOCATED 75 TO 80 PERCENT OF MISDIRECTED CARGO. THE GOVERNMENT IS CURRENTLY CONSIDERING CHANGES IN THE NHBP'S STRUCTURE. (CFW)