The Vancouver Police want to clarify some very misleading news reports suggesting we are randomly listening to private cell phone conversations. This is incorrect. The VPD, and most police agencies across the country, do not discuss specific equipment used in covert investigative techniques. Providing such information can be detrimental to police investigations into serious and violent criminal activity.
Not confirming or denying the possession of a piece of equipment prevents individuals from using a process of elimination to find out what specific tools are used in sensitive covert investigations. Speculating the police have a piece of equipment simply because it has been used in other countries or by other police departments would be an inappropriate assumption.
What is important to know is that the VPD does not randomly listen to the cell phone conversations of citizens. Any covert monitoring of communications is only done during serious criminal investigations pursuant to the Criminal Code, and with prior judicial authorization from the courts.
