the security officers responsible for transit became employed by them. At the opening of the first SkyTrain line in December 1985, 15 Special Provincial Constables (SPCs) were appointed to BC Transit Security. SPCs did not carry firearms, but did carry pepper spray and batons. As the transit system grew, so did the scope and responsibility of these peace officers. In 1999, as the responsibility of transit and transportation on the south coast of British Columbia was reassigned to TransLink (Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority), they became the SPCs new employers. Initially, the SPCs contacted the Vancouver Police Department and, later, the New Westminster Police Department when they needed to query persons and vehicles. As their needs grew, they earned their own access to police databases and records, getting the attention of the provincial government. The BC government recognized that the SPCs were never initially meant to enforce drug laws or enter into criminal investigations but saw the need for same. SPCs did not have authority to enforce drug laws under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Police Enforcement) Regulation. The police services division of the government re-iterated that the SPCs authority was limited to transit property, and they could not stop suspects fleeing from a separate crime scene or intervene in incidents occurring just outside SkyTrain stations. In 2003, the BC Association of Chiefs of Police supported TransLink's application to have a Designated Policing Unit under the newly created section of the Police Act. Over the next couple of years, the necessary processes took place, and the Transit Police became operational in December 2005. Many of the SPCs stayed on, after completing the full training at the Police Academy at the Justice Institute of British Columbia to become full constables. In November 2007, the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority was renamed the "South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority" pursuant to the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority Amendment Act 2007'', and the police force followed suit. Organization The Transit Police report to the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Police Board (SCBCTA Police Board). The Police Board is responsible for the governance and oversight of the SCBCTAPS. The board is responsible for appointing officers, including the Chief Officer and Deputy Chief Officer, approving finances and the budget, and establishing policy. Unlike other BC municipal police forces, the Police Board only has appointed members and does not have any democratically elected member (whereas mayors in