RCMP primed for action

By Dan FergusonStaff ReporterMar 28 2007 Surrey Leader

At 6 a.m. Tuesday, Surrey RCMP became the latest police force to connect with a province-wide computer network designed to let all B.C. law enforcement officers share information through a central system. The switch to the Police Records Information Management Environment (PRIME) allows officers near-instant access to arrest reports, mug shots and more. In the past, because of a patchwork of different systems, police in B.C. often had to e-mail requests for information about crimes and criminals to other jurisdictions, or even go there in person to review records – a process that could take days and even weeks.

PRIME eliminates a lot of typing because officers only have to key in their report once, updating it as needed from field laptops or office computers. “You’ve got it right in your mobile in your car,” said RCMP Supt. Ken Handy, the officer in charge of implementing PRIME across B.C.
The provincial government has ordered all police forces in B.C. to join PRIME. It will cost the City of Surrey about $500 per officer or about $250,000, plus another $200,000 for training. The last remaining Lower Mainland police force to join will be the White Rock RCMP detachment in April. Delta Police switched to PRIME in 2005.