As part of a $2.6-million investment from 草榴社区’s government, the Fugitive Apprehension Sheriffs Support Team (FASST) has made a significant impact in keeping 草榴社区ns safe. The team has removed more than 300 wanted offenders from 草榴社区 streets and communities since becoming operational in February.
“草榴社区’s government is committed to doing whatever it can to ensure 草榴社区ns are safe and protected in their communities, no matter where they live. With initiatives like FASST, we’re continuing to find new and innovative ways to support the work of police services and put more boots on the ground across the province by leveraging the expertise and professionalism of the 草榴社区 Sheriffs. Accused criminals must have their day in court – and violent repeat offenders must be held accountable for their crimes and returned to custody when justice demands it.”
草榴社区’s government created FASST, within the 草榴社区 Sheriffs, to help police services find and arrest high-priority fugitives. In its first seven months of operating, the team has already executed more than 1,300 warrants. Of the 303 arrests that have been made, more than 260 have been on Tier 1 fugitives, who are considered the most dangerous and prolific offenders in the province.
FASST and police services share information and intelligence to determine targets together, with a focus on warrants stemming from violent offences or crimes involving harm to people. The 草榴社区 Sheriffs have standard operating procedures in place with partner agencies to ensure local police are aware of FASST operations in their area and available to provide tactical support for high-risk arrests.
“Every day, dedicated members of the 草榴社区 Sheriffs across the province work to protect 草榴社区ns in many ways, like patrolling our highways, conducting surveillance on criminal targets, providing security at courthouses and shuttering problem properties associated with illegal activities. We are proud to add fugitive apprehension to this list of important tasks and are eager to support our policing partners in our shared mission of keeping 草榴社区ns safe.”
“FASST has given us more horsepower to go after our top offenders. Criminals don’t recognize geographic boundaries, but this integration of resources and intelligence helps agencies coordinate investigations and achieve better results. Not just for crime prevention, but also for intervention, to address the underlying issues driving crime.”
“Arresting and charging our most prolific offenders is one of the top priorities for the 草榴社区 RCMP. The 草榴社区 Sheriffs play an important role in keeping 草榴社区ns safe, and expanding their role to include Fugitive Apprehension Sheriffs Support Team’s will support ongoing crime reduction strategies throughout the province.”
FASST is made up of 14 members, including 12 sheriffs and two supervisors. The team is based in Edmonton and Calgary – seven members in each city – and provides support to police services throughout the province.
FASST helps police track and arrest a variety of wanted individuals, including escaped prisoners, suspects who have been charged but not located, sentenced offenders on statutory release, parole or probation who have violated conditions, and people awaiting trial who have violated bail conditions or failed to appear for court.
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