By Justin Goulet

2020 a busy year for Alberta RCMP Serious Crimes Branch

Feb 16, 2021 | 10:01 AM

EDMONTON, AB – The Alberta RCMP Serious Crimes Branch (SCB) had a busy 2020.

The SCB is an investigative services branch responsible for leading and supporting complex investigations across the province. Within the branches are different units comprised of RCMP employees with specialized skills and training in the investigation of homicides, serious persons crimes, child abuse, multi-jurisdictional offences, or cases that require advanced investigative techniques.

“Despite the trials of 2020, SCB employees were successful in advancing various criminal investigations and bringing those responsible before the courts,” read a release from the Alberta RCMP.

Below is a recap of some of the work done by various SCB branches in 2020.

Major Crimes Unit (MCU) – The MCU is responsible for conducting homicide investigations. In 2020, the unit led a record high 66 homicide cases, up from 55 in 2019. “Homicide rates fluctuate annually,” read the release.

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“When communities are impacted by these serious crimes, local RCMP employees work with provincial support teams as well as community groups and leaders to address the root causes of crime.”

In addition to homicide cases, the MCU conducted 10 death or missing persons investigations and helped with a number of other investigations across Alberta.

General Investigations Sections (GIS) – the GIS supplemented the needs of detachments with serious, complex, or multi-jurisdictional investigations in 2020. Last year, the GIS provided support to detachments in over 200 cases involving assaults, sexual assaults, attempted murder, and other serious matters.

Additionally, investigators assigned to Child Advocacy Centres in Alberta helped provide an important multi-agency ‘wrap-around’ service to victims of child abuse, conducting over 1,400 child interviews.

Missing Persons Unit (MPU) – This unit reviews all RCMP missing persons investigations for quality, timeliness and to ensure appropriate action and resources are being implemented by the organization.

In 2020, there was a total of 4,452 missing person reported in RCMP jurisdictions. Of those reports, the MPU reviewed 2,344 files and was involved in a total of 809 cases. According to RCMP, 14 people are yet to be found.

“The services provided by the SCB are available to all RCMP detachments across Alberta and, in some cases, other law enforcement services within the province,” said Supt. David Hall, Officer in Charge, Alberta RCMP Serious Crimes Branch.

“The unique and specialized expertise that the SCB brings to policing in Alberta is critical to the safety of our communities.”

The SCB also contains a variety of unique policing services that support investigations across the province, including a specialized interview team and the Truth Verification Section. As well, the SCB helps to identify and manage high risk offenders through its Behavioural Sciences Group.

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