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Pipeline / Convoy / Jetway
In Sept. 1995, the Drug Enforcement Branch, HQ Ottawa launched an initiative now known as the Pipeline/Convoy Program. The program's focus was the detection and seizure of contraband moving across Canada in cars and transport trucks. In early 1998 Jetway, a sister program of Pipeline/Convoy was developed to help target couriers with contraband who body pack, have checked and carry on luggage, who use other means of transportation such as air, bus and train and who forward mail and parcels through cargo and courier services.
It was recognized from the beginning that criminal organizations must use part of the Canadian transportation/highway systems to move their contraband. This is a weak link in all criminal organizations which police and enforcement officers can exploit.
Since September 1995 to September 1999, approximately $500,000 has been spent on the Pipeline/Convoy/Jetway Program for salary and training costs. This funding has been taken from the overall budget of Federal Services Directorate, mainly through Proceeds of Crime and Customs & Excise Branch.
The Pipeline/Convoy and Jetway Programs presently have two STE positions responsible for them, Cpl. Rob Ruiters, "D" Division and Cpl. Patrick O'Brien, HQ Ottawa. There are only two dedicated Jetway Teams working in Canada. They are made up from existing drug resources in Edmonton (2 positions) and Calgary (4 positions).
By identifying and targeting these weak links and training enforcement officers in the Pipeline/Convoy/Jetway techniques, it would heighten our chances in seizing large shipments of contraband thus disrupting these organizations.
The Pipeline/Convoy/Jetway Program offers four separate training courses:
Pipeline/Convoy/Jetway training deals with officer safety and heightens a police officer's awareness skills which could alert them to dangerous situations, saving serious injury or death.
A lapel pin was developed and is given out to all candidates who take the two or three day Pipeline/Convoy training course. It is also given out to all other enforcement agencies dealt with around the world as a souvenir and reminder of Canada's program.
A National Jetway Telephone Directory has been established so that enforcement officers across North America and foreign countries can call a trained Jetway person in Canada to assist with investigations. This list has been added to the El Paso Intelligence Center Jetway Directory and to the secure Internet site of the International Narcotics Interdiction Association for quick reference.
LIST OF MAJOR INTERNATIONAL & NATIONAL PARTNERS ESTABLISHED
FOREIGN
CANADIAN
Note: Joint training courses and sharing of information relating to the Pipeline/Convoy/Jetway Program has been established with over 100 law enforcement agencies (state, provincial, municipal) throughout the United States and Canada.
Pipeline/Convoy/ has trained 1900 RCMP officers and 350 officers from provincial and municipal enforcement agencies. The Jetway training course has been responsible for training 193 RCMP officers and 65 enforcement officers from other agencies. Approximately 5% of officers trained use it daily. This is consistent with previous research conducted in the United States over the past 20 years by those who have been involved with this training.
The Pipeline/Convoy Program has a motto, "Securing the Right of Passage". A contest was held using the newsletter and offering a prize to the winner. First, the readership were asked for suggested mottos relating to vehicles on our highways. Second, all suggestions received were placed in the newsletter and the readership were asked to vote on their favourite by e-mail or other correspondence. This was very effective and it allowed the readership to pick a "motto" for their newsletter.
The Pipeline/Convoy bilingual newsletter which goes out to approximately 25,000 enforcement officers across North America and some European destinations has proven to be an excellent morale booster. The newsletter provides "officer safety tips", Canadian and North American trends and real life stories of events encountered by front line police officers during their daily duties. Previous Commissioner's audits have shown the newsletter as the most enjoyed reading material offered by the RCMP to its membership.
Since September 1995 to September 1999 (4 years), the Pipeline/Convoy/Jetway Program has been responsible for the following:
The Pipeline/Convoy/Jetway Program has shown through training, pilot projects and blitzes, beyond any reasonable doubt, how effective it is and the potential it could have if permanent positions were in place. The priority of the program is to establish teams to work at key areas within Canada's transportation systems, to get a larger percentage of members trained using this program in their daily duties, to get all trained officers reporting and to continue joint training with our partners.
With the three largest airports having full-time Jetway Teams and the proposed addition of 30 new positions or realigned positions from existing resources in place at strategic points, we will see an immediate rise in morale by our partners, clients and front line officers. This will led to escalating contraband seizures. With the sharing of information and a national vision and direction already established by this program, together with our partners, we will see a minimum of 20 million in cash and drugs seized annually.
This initiative provides the opportunity for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to lead enforcement efforts against criminal organizations into the new millennium.
Pat O'Brien, Cpl. (Coordinator)
HQ Ottawa, (613) 993-6407
pager: (613) 751-5634
Fax: (613) 993-5454
Rob Ruiters, Cpl. (Coordinator)
Winnipeg, Man. (204)
983-7234 pager: (204) 935-1612
Fax: (204) 983-2628
