KINGSTON – September 17, 2013 – From September 13-15, the RCMP’s maritime unit in Kingston – Ontario and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) station in Alexandria Bay, New York, conducted a joint law enforcement patrol along St. Lawrence Seaway. This collaborative program is part of the Integrated Cross-Border Maritime Law Enforcement Operations (ICMLEO) known as Canada-U.S. Shiprider.
As a result of the three-day operations, several vessels were stopped and boarded by specially trained and designated members of the RCMP and USCG.
Cross-border crime is a two-way challenge that has implications for both Canadian and U.S. citizens. Shiprider removes jurisdictional road blocks associated with an international border. It allows specially trained and cross designated Canadian and U.S. law enforcement to work side by side while under the direct supervision of the host country officer.
"Coast Guard Sector Buffalo is excited to work with RCMP Kingston to strengthen our partnerships and enhance maritime security on our shared waterways," said Lt. Rianne Troutman, chief of enforcement at Sector Buffalo, Station Alexandria Bay's parent command.
“Based on the principles of shared border management and effective law enforcement, Shiprider operations respect the sovereignty of both Canada and the United States”, said RCMP Assistant Commissioner Todd Shean. “Shiprider operations are a tool that improves our mutual security in our shared waterways”.
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