COMMITTMENT TO THE
ABBOTSFORD COMMUNITY
Abbotsford is one of the fastest growing cities in the country. Our 239+ sworn police officers, 80+ civilian staff, and 80+ volunteers are dedicated to providing the highest quality of police service to the citizens of Abbotsford.
In partnership with our community, we are committed to ensuring safety and security by enforcing the law, preventing crime, and responding to community needs.
We place great value on respect, diversity, accountability, ethics, integrity, innovation and leadership. We continuously strive for improvement and we are committed to our mission to make Abbotsford the safest city in BC.
History Of
Policing In BC
| 1858 | Victoria Police Department |
| 1873 | New Westminster Police Department |
| 1886 | Vancouver Police Department |
| 1888 | Delta Police Department |
| 1906 | Saanich Police Department |
| 1955 | Matsqui Police Department |
| 1995 | Matsqui Police amalgamates to create the Abbotsford Police Department |
History of the
Matsqui Police
1874
Settlement of Mt. Lehman
76 men and their families
Directory lists Mr. Ed W. King as the Constable
1892
Matsqui was incorporated as a municipality
Bordered Washington State to the south; Fraser River to the north; Langley to the west and Sumas to the east
New Municipal Council took over the responsibility of law and order; Mr. King became an assessor
For more serious policing matters Council would contact the New Westminster Police Service for assistance
1905
The Municipality of Matsqui decided that it was time to have its own police force and set out to hire 1 constable
This position was awarded to Thomas Henry Lehman
He was a full-time farmer and a part-time Constable
He was also expected to be on-call 24 hours a day for which he received $2.50 per day
1906
Matsqui Police doubled in size to 2 constables
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1924 |
BC Provincial Police (which were already policing Abbotsford next door) offered to police Matsqui |
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| 1925 |
Annual Police Budget Was $827 |
| The Matsqui Council decided to contract out its policing needs to the less costly BC Povincial Police for $500 annually | |
The Provincial Police was disbanded and the RCMP were contracted to take over policing the province
1950
RCMP also took over the policing of Matsqui
1954
Matsqui Council became dissatisfied with the service they were getting from the RCMP.
The municipality was paying for 4 police officers, but those officers were too often dealing with other duties in Abbotsford and Sumas.
JAN. 1, 1955
The new Matsqui Municipal Police Department was formed consisting of one Chief Constable and three constables
Excerpts from History of Matsqui Police
Police, Politicians
and Pioneers
“At 0001 hours on the 1st day of January 1955, Matsqui's new police members, Chief Bill Lumsden and Constable Fred Clark shook hands, and then in their borrowed uniforms and wearing Sam Brownes, stepped warily out of the station and into the department's '55 Dodge to commence their first shift on patrol. It was recorded as a quiet night; Matsqui's law-abiding population of 11,160 being mostly asleep.”
“At midnight on New Year's Eve 1994 - four decades later - the force faded away into the archives of British Columbia police history to re-emerge immediately as the City of Abbotsford Police Department. In that time period, 188 members from all across Canada and the United Kingdom had faithfully served the people of Matsqui and the surrounding district.”
1965
x14
1975
x26
1980
x47
1990
x79
1995
x127
2005
x187
2010
x210
2018
x219
Written by retired Inspector Pat McBride, this book is 750 pages in length and includes more than 500 photographs. The book covers the history of the Matsqui Police since 1905 and is full of interesting stories. Anyone interested in the history of the former District of Matsqui will enjoy this informative, historical look at policing in the community.
To order a copy of this book, please email: [email protected]
History of THE
Abbotsford Police
Matsqui took over policing of Abbotsford from the RCMP
Changed our name to the Abbotsford Police Department
Strength of 127 officers
Unus Cum Viribus Duorum = “One with the Strength of Two”
Today
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Canada: National Policing = RCMP
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Provincial: contracted to the RCMP
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Ontario & Quebec = Provincial Police
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British Columbia
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Municipal Police = Abbotsford, Central Saanich, Delta, Transit, Nelson, New Westminster, Oak Bay, Saanich, Vancouver, Victoria, West Vancouver
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All others contract to the RCMP = Burnaby, Coquitlam, North Vancouver, Richmond, Surrey, etc
ABBOTSFORD POLICE
What we do
Police Officer
Common Law Duties:
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Preserve the peace
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Protect life & property
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Prevent crime
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Apprehend offenders
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Enforce the Laws
Enforcement of
Municipal Bylaws:
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Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 1256-2003, regulating nuisances such as noise, littering, graffiti, panhandling and poor property maintenance
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Abbotsford Fireworks Bylaw, prohibiting the sale, possession and discharge of fireworks within the City’s borders
Enforcement of
FEDERAL STATUTEs:
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Criminal Code of Canada:
Offences against the person (assault, kidnapping)
Offences against property (break and enter, theft, possession of stolen property)
Offences against the public order (riots)
Terrorism
Firearms/weapons
Offences relating to currency (counterfeiting) -
Youth Criminal Justice Act
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Controlled Drugs & Substances Act
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Cannabis Control & Licensing Act
Enforcement of
provincial statutes:
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