Globalization of illicit business ventures, fusion of criminal groups, coordination of multi-commodity criminal activities and exploitation of technology have created challenges for our investigators and have caused us to develop a variety of strategies to counter organized criminal activity.

To efficiently disrupt and suppress the activities of criminal networks, OCABC has implemented an intelligence led enforcement model. Through the use of strategic threat assessments, we are able to analyze these complex criminal networks, determine their vulnerabilities, make effective decisions based on the information at hand and formulate tactical operations to strike at those who are in command and control of these organized crime groups.

Over the past year, we have been bold in the application of our enforcement program. Key to our success is having the daring to seek breakthrough results against organized criminal activity rather than incremental ones. This has required us to allocate resources to projects with uncertain, sometimes highly uncertain, outcomes. Here, the proper use of strategic and tactical analysis has been key to our ability to assess and manage risk in these situations.

In order to be able to capitalize on key opportunities, our enforcement program possesses the flexibility to deploy our resources in a concentrated fashion at critical points of an investigation. This has not only allowed us to disrupt the target group in a proactive manner, but has also afforded OCABC the opportunity to suppress these groups through the seizure of their assets.

Our decentralized decision making process has given authority to those who possess the appropriate knowledge to make informed decisions. Such decisions must always be aligned with our overall mandate.

While each of the preceding elements of our strategy represents a valuable concept on its own, effective enforcement can only happen if all the elements work together in a fully integrated attack on organized crime in full partnership with domestic and international law enforcement agencies.

To continue to be successful in the investigation and prosecution of organized criminals, we must be able to cope with the uncertainties of our target environment. It is crucial, therefore, that we have the flexibility to adapt quickly to changing situations and emerging trends. We must possess and encourage a willingness to act with initiative in the bold application of ethical law enforc ement techniques. We must strategically take full advantage of all of our opportunities. We must have the courage to take risks, the discipline to remain focussed on our mandate and the integrity, professionalism and accountability to maintain the trust of the citizens of this province.

I look forward to this third year of operations with optimism. You have my assurance that OCABC is committed to fulfilling its mandate to facilitate the disruption and suppression of organized crime which affects all British Columbians.

David H. Douglas
Chief Officer