News release

For others – for 20 years: 20th anniversary of the Lower Mainland District Integrated Emergency Response Team

April 16, 2026 - Lower Mainland District, British Columbia
From: British Columbia RCMP

Content

What began as RCMP officers working extra duties on different part-time teams to attend dynamic, high-risk calls for service throughout the Lower Mainland, has grown into the largest team of its kind in the country.

Twenty years ago, April 4, 2006, marked the first official day of operations for the first RCMP crew of full-time Emergency Response operators in the Lower Mainland. 

Prior to 2006, the RCMP detachments in the Lower Mainland were operating a number of Emergency Response Teams (ERT) in the region. Between 2014 and 2024, there was staggered amalgamation with municipal policing partners in the region through the integrated model for specialized policing. Lower Mainland District Integrated Emergency Response Team (LMD IERT) was the first full-time, contract policing integrated ERT in the RCMP and since it’s creation, the full-time model has been applied throughout Canada. 

LMD IERT is comprised of police officers from the RCMP and municipal policing agencies, serving the 28 Lower Mainland municipalities policed by the RCMP as well as Abbotsford Police Department, Delta Police Department, New Westminster Police Department, Port Moody Police Department and Surrey Police Service. Additionally, LMD IERT supports the Metro Vancouver Transit Police (MVTP). 

The creation of the full-time unit in the Lower Mainland provided officers with the time and opportunity to strengthen their skills and develop a professional program to meet the standards required for being an ERT.

LMD IERT has continued to see an increase in files since 2006, attending over 400 files in 2025. Additionally, the call complexity has increased, requiring members to increase training time and ensure they’re ready to operate at the highest level of tactical competency in any environment.

Over the past twenty years, LMD IERT members have contributed to the evolution of the program at a local, divisional and national level. LMD IERT has shared best practices in high-risk operations with police forces nationally and internationally. Members of the unit are trained in numerous speciality profiles, giving the team the ability to deploy highly specialized, experienced operators to where they are needed most. 

“LMD IERT has continued to drive innovation, evolving to meet the needs of modern policing,” says Chief Superintendent Bert Ferreira, Officer in Charge of the Lower Mainland District Integrated Teams. “Through leadership, innovation and relationships built with our partners, their impact on our integrated model of specialized policing is integral to maintaining public safety. As we look ahead, our focus remains on adapting, leading and serving our communities.”

As the team has developed, they have driven innovation and created new pathways for greater effectiveness. Some specialized capabilities include tactical medics, use of advanced technology, marine intervention, aerial extraction, and Armoured Rescue Vehicles. The unit has embedded members of the Lower Mainland District Integrated Police Dog Service (LMD IPDS) and deploys with Crisis Negotiators, in addition to working in a coordinated manner with numerous policing partners throughout the LMD. 

All ERT members are trained on skills including aircraft interventions, active threat response, hostage rescue, high-risk searches and arrests, rural operations, resolving incidents involving armed and barricaded persons, support for public order events, and VIP protection duties.

“To resolve some of the most dangerous situations in the region over the past 20 years, we have had to continually adapt as policing and criminality evolve,” says Inspector Rory Buscholl, Officer-in-Charge of LMD IERT. “Our team is constantly training to ensure that we’re ready for the highest risk situations in any environment. When we deploy to a file, it’s to ensure the safety of everyone involved, including the community and first responders.” 

“Every single day that our members deploy to calls for service, they are working with the understanding that they’re putting the welfare and security of their communities above their own. A strong foundation of teamwork, accountability and leadership are vitally important to our operational success when working towards resolving a situation,” continues Inspector Buscholl. 

Attending calls with the highest threat and level of complexity requires approaching this work with great care and a clear understanding of the inherent risks.

On the wall in their command centre, reads the teams mandate, vision and ethos. Included in that is the commitment to remain steadfast in the face of adversity, courageous during conflict and disciplined in action. In large font is their team motto, ‘For others’, a daily reminder that the work, challenges and risk associated with the job are in servitude of their communities. 

“For over 20 years we have been developing our team into one of the most capable tactical teams in North America,” says Inspector Buscholl. “Every operation and training scenario is debriefed, so we are constantly striving to improve. We rely on numerous police and first responder partnerships throughout the LMD to contribute to community safety and it’s impressive to see their dedication and professionalism.” 

“The creation of a full-time team, with police officers from both the RCMP and our municipal partner agencies creates a strong environment for operations,” further comments Inspector Buscholl. “I’ve seen this program grow and adapt to the realities of modern policing. I am incredibly proud of this team and thankful for the support of our many partners, as we celebrate this anniversary.” 

20 years later, the uniform has changed, the model has evolved, the calls for service have grown more complex, but what’s stayed the same is the team’s guiding principle, For others.

Quick facts

• Southeast District, North District and Island District currently have full-time ERT teams.

Associated links

• Lower Mainland District Integrated Emergency Response Team - BC RCMP

Contacts