The New Brunswick Integrated Enforcement Unit (NBIEU), a specialized team that includes members of the Saint John Police Force, has earned a prestigious national award for its work in combating serious crime across the province.

According to a media release from the Saint John Police, the unit was named the national winner of the RCMP’s 2024 Innovation in Crime Reduction Award. This award recognizes the team’s effective and coordinated response to the challenges of illicit drugs, firearms, and organized crime.

A Collaborative Effort for a Safer Community

The NBIEU is not just one police force but a collaborative partnership. It brings together officers from the New Brunswick RCMP, various municipal police agencies like our own in Saint John, and the Department of Justice and Public Safety.

Saint John plays a key role in this provincial strategy. The Saint John Police Headquarters serves as an operating base for one of the units, led by Sergeant Tammy Spence of the Saint John Police. This local team, the Street Crime Integrated Enforcement Unit (IEU), has made a direct impact on your community’s safety through its successful operations.

The unit’s work has led to significant seizures of illegal drugs and firearms and resulted in numerous high-profile arrests.

Praise from the Chief

Saint John Police Chief R.M. Bruce praised the unit’s success and the dedication of its members.

“The Saint John IEU is a testament to the ongoing collaboration between all policing agencies in the province to provide a safe secure community,” said Chief Bruce. “More importantly, this recognition highlights the tireless efforts of the unit’s operational members, who work relentlessly to target criminal elements involved in illegal drugs, firearms, and the victimization of our communities.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NBIEU?

The New Brunswick Integrated Enforcement Unit (NBIEU) is a multi-agency law enforcement team. It combines resources from the RCMP, municipal police forces, and the provincial government to fight organized crime, illegal drugs, and firearms trafficking throughout New Brunswick.

How are Saint John Police involved?

The Saint John Police Force is a key partner in the NBIEU. The city’s police headquarters hosts one of the units, and a Saint John Police member, Sergeant Tammy Spence, leads the local team.

What award did the unit win?

The NBIEU won the RCMP’s 2024 Innovation in Crime Reduction Award, recognizing it as the top unit of its kind in the country for its innovative approach to making communities safer.