Port Metro Vancouver slashes funding for specialist waterfront police squad

Port Metro Vancouver, Canada’s biggest container port, is slashing its funding contribution to a crack police unit that specializes in waterfront crime.

When the $400,000 cut to annual funding goes through on January 1, 2016, it would mean the size of the National Port Enforcement Team (NPET) would be reduced from 13 personnel to just nine.

The NPET investigates and helps prevent federal offences at the ports, mainly the smuggling of drugs, weapons and contraband. It is a bulwark against gang and terrorist activities.

A spokesman said the port would divert the cut funds to other security and operational priorities, including continued improvement in security technology.

Port Metro Vancouver has been contributing to the NPET for 15 years.