The Abbotsford Police Department’s Collision Reconstruction Unit is a specialized unit that utilizes forensic techniques to investigate, analyze and reconstruct serious motor vehicle collision and crime scenes for the purpose of providing expert evidence.

OPERATIONAL PRIORITIES

• Attend serious/fatal collision scenes for the purpose of locating, identifying, recording, collecting, preserving, analyzing and documenting evidence to assist in the completion of the investigation and court presentation.
• Attend serious crime scenes for the purpose of measuring and mapping scene evidence to assist investigations.
• Assist in the investigation of police related matters including the collecting and analyzing of Global Positioning System data contained within the vehicle’s on board MDT.
• Provide on-going training and education services including presentations to the department in matters related to collision investigation.
• Maintain a level of training and experience consistent with standards to allow for the presentation of expert evidence within the court system.

The purpose of the Abbotsford Police Department's Crime Prevention Section is to reduce crime and increase public safety. This is achieved by developing strong community relations, educating the public regarding crime trends, and through the distribution of effective community-based prevention programs.

OPERATIONAL PRIORITIES

• Establish and administer effective community-based crime prevention programs.
• Develop ongoing relationships with community and key partner agencies.
• Deliver targeted crime prevention education.
• Support APD and community events.
• Conduct home/business security assessments.
• Maintain and coordinate the APD Reserve Officer program.
• Manage APD Community Policing volunteers.

The Special Events and Emergency Planning Section coordinates the Abbotsford Police Department’s Emergency Program and liaises with the City of Abbotsford Emergency Program. It assesses the need for, and organizes, police response for a variety of special events held in the city and region.

OPERATIONAL PRIORITIES

• Develop ongoing relationships with key partner and support agencies.
• Author operational plans for a variety of emergency management and policing responses.
• Respond to community inquiries regarding special event needs.
• Attend major incidents and/or events as required.
• Proactively identify events that may require police attendance.
• Deliver presentations to public and police groups.
• Maintain and coordinate the APD Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) program.

The Abbotsford Police Department’s Property Services Section is a civilian section providing exhibits management. The Exhibits/Property Clerks provide support to staff by managing seized and found items (intake, storage, and disposal). The section also maintains packaging materials required for exhibits processing and the tools and machines required for same.

Duties: 

• Receive, catalogue, store, and dispose of all items coming into the possession of the department as directed by policy and procedures, and adhering to all legislative requirements.
• Receive, catalogue and maintain continuity of all court-related exhibits for police members, and to make those exhibits available for court purposes and investigative activities.
• Dispose of hazardous materials including, but not limited to, controlled substances, fuels, ammunition, chemicals, sharps, and biologically contaminated items.

The Drone now internationally referred to as a “RPAS” ( Remotely Piloted Aerial Vehicle)  is an Indro Robotics 210C which is one of a selected specialized drones listed on Transport Canadas Compliant List.

As of October 2018 the APD primary Drone and secondary drones had been flown in 30 training and operational flights which is over 14 hours of logged flight time.Also in October 2018 4 pilots were added to the program, 1 pilot for each patrol shift. Those pilots attended a 3 day ground school with 2 days of hands on flight time.  Additional training with the APD lead pilot will be on going with monthly training days. Any pilot who does not fly operationally or in training in a 60 day period will be grounded until they can fly with the lead pilot in a training or operational setting. 

Cst Hryhorczuk the lead pilot has been working on obtaining RPAS instructor credentials as well as the ability to fly Beyond the Visual line of site (BVLOS). Currently most agencies including the APD must fly their RPAS while maintaining unaided visual contact with it, Visual Flight Rules VFR. With getting certified in BVLOS training Cst. Hryhorczuk will be permitted to fly the RPAS using only its cameras and not maintaining visual contact.  This will greatly assist in getting the RPAS to areas of dense tree cover or getting behind structures.