RCMP Find Links Between Crimes and BC School

Sep 7, 2011
Arthur Weinreb

RCMP Investigates Crimes Connected to BC School - Photo from POLICEDIVER; Flickr

An investigator with the RCMP discovered that 10 different and apparently unrelated crimes committed on the Lower Mainland in BC had a common link.

On September 6, 2011, the RCMP announced that links were discovered between what at first appeared to be unrelated criminal acts. The common link was found to be an association between the victims and the the Justice Institute of BC (JIBC).

RCMP Investigation is Ongoing

As the police force is still investigating these matters, the amount of information they can release is limited. But the RCMP, together with senior management of the school decided to release the fact that a common link between these acts was found. Making this investigation public was timed to coincide with the beginning of the new school year.

The victims of these 10 occurrences that took place throughout the Lower Mainland all had some connection to the Justice Institute of BC. None of the alleged crimes took place on any of the JIBC campuses. Of the ten individual victims, three are employees of the school while two are past students. The RCMP is not saying exactly what the connection between the Justice Institute and the remaining five victims is, other than to say these five people are "loosely linked to the Justice Institute and come from all walks of life."

The offences being investigated include arsons of both homes and vehicles. The RCMP is also reporting that some victims had their homes or vehicles shot at.

In speaking of the victims, Chief Superintendent Janice Armstrong, the Operations Officer for the Lower Mainland District Regional Police Service said, "These victims do not appear to be affiliated with any criminal activity. Fortunately, no one has been physically injured in these incidents.

The Justice Institute of BC

The school's main campus is located in New Westminster. Other smaller campuses are located in Vancouver, Victoria, Chilliwack, Okanagan, Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadow. Students are also able to take course online.

JIBC bills itself as "a leader in justice and public safety education. Depending upon what courses are taken a successful student can end up with a bachelor's degree, diploma or a certificate.

The courses taught at JIBC prepares students for careers in law enforcement, firefighting, the paramedic field and conflict resolution. To these ends, the Justice Institute is comprised of three schools; the School of Public Safety & Security, the School of Community and Social Justice and the School of Health Sciences.

On the same day the RCMP issued a release, JIBC issued a statement. Much of the statement re-iterated what the RCMP had said. JIBC President Jack McGee stated that the school is very concerned about the impact these acts have had on innocent victims. McGee further said, "We are doing everything we can do to support the police investigation and taking all possible steps to protect the safety and security of students, staff, faculty and the public who access our campuses."

The school promised to provide regular updates when more facts become available.

Both the RCMP and JIBC are asking the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to their local police.