The Metro Vancouver Transit Police (MVTP), previously the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority Police Service and formally the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Police Service (SCBCTAPS), is the police force for TransLink, the public transit system of the Metro Vancouver region of British Columbia, Canada. Formed in December 2005, the Metro Vancouver Transit Police is the only police force in Canada solely dedicated to transit, as most other cities use a combination of special constables and a transit division of their local police. Transit Police are a supplementary police agency with the jurisdictional police agency retaining primary responsibility for policing in each jurisdiction they serve. Transit Police officers have the same authorities and powers as other police officers while on and off duty. They are sworn in as designated provincial constables, with full police powers throughout the province. They focus their efforts primarily on protecting the safety and security of passengers, employees, property, and revenue of Metro Vancouver's transit system. Transit Police partner with local municipal police forces and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in enforcing laws in the Metro Vancouver region. If requested, Transit Police officers will also respond to emergencies outside of transit property as would other municipal police forces. The name change was made pursuant to the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority Amendment Act 2007, effective November 30, 2007. However, references to SCBCTAPS as GVTAPS will continue to have legal effect.<ref>[https://www.leg.bc.ca/pages/bclass-legacy.aspx#/content/legacy/web/38th3rd/3rd_read/gov43-3.htm Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority Amendment Act 2007 Final version of the Act]</ref> Transit Police, along with other BC police forces including the RCMP, seconds officers to the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia. History The first persons employed for protection of mass transit in Vancouver were the night watchmen of the BC Electric Railway, established 1897. As the system grew, the company used the provisions of the provincial Railway Act to employ Special Constables. During the Great War, several special constables were posted to key infrastructure to protect against sabotage. After the war's end, these constables were appointed less frequently, leaving watchmen to protect the system. During World War II, an armed special constabulary was established - again intended to protect against sabotage - named the Special Protection Force. After victory in Japan, they were disbanded. The company began transitioning the watchmen to security officers, and those security officers would remain as the company was nationalized and became BC Hydro. As BC Transit was created,