Structure of the Nelson Police Department The Nelson Police Department is governed by the Nelson Police Board under the authority of the British Columbia Police Act. The Police Board, which meets monthly, consists of the Mayor and four other representative citizens of the community. The Chief Constable is directly responsible to the Police Board and thereby the citizens of Nelson. The Department is divided into two main branches, Operations and Support Services. The Chief Constable and Inspector oversee and command both branches. The Operations branch includes two patrol Platoons, Traffic Enforcement, Beat personnel, the General Investigation Section (G.I.S.), and Marine deployment. The Support Services branch includes Court Liaison, the Public Information Counter, Dispatcher/Guards, the Detention Facility, the Crime Prevention Office, Victim Services and Reserves. The Department has a deployable strength of twenty members, eight support staff, nine reserve officers and two victim service workers. The General Investigation Section is staffed by two members, a Sergeant and a Detective/Constable. The Crime Prevention Office is staffed by a Constable who is responsible for community services and crime prevention, in addition to providing patrol support. The Nelson Police Department currently has three officers seconded to an integrated provincial traffic unit – the Kootenay Integrated Road Safety Unit (K-IRSU). Blended with members of the RCMP, this unit is mandated to conduct proactive traffic enforcement by targeting aggressive driving behaviors, reducing alcohol related crashes and encouraging the use of seatbelts   throughout the Kootenay/Boundary region.

page updated: 2008.11.26