other police boards act as the chair). Their numbers have remained steady since 2010, at 167 sworn officers. The most senior officer is Dave Jones, Chief Officer of the Transit Police. Community Partnerships Inter-Regional at Risk Youth Link (IRAYL) - Transit Police have been working in close partnership with IRAYL since 2008. IRAYL is a unique partnership/youth outreach program that provides support and resources to marginalized youth, founded in part by a Transit Police officer, formerly a youth worker. The team comprises experienced youth workers who work in and around SkyTrain and Canada Line stations to provide youth with access to much needed services, like shelters, social services, food banks, counselling, recreation and youth centers, as part of a cross-regional crime reduction initiative. In 2012, IRAYL in conjunction with Transit Police and the Ministry of Children and Family Development was awarded the Premier’s Innovation & Excellence Awards Program. Collingwood Community Policing Centre - Transit Police entered into an agreement with Collingwood Community Policing Centre, a Vancouver Police Department CPC, to serve in public outreach and education for the Transit Police. Surrey Crime Prevention Society - In 2015, Transit Police began a partnership with Surrey Crime Prevention Society called Transit Watch where volunteers proactively patrol transit hubs in the city of Surrey, BC. Hollaback! Vancouver - Also in 2015, as part of efforts to reduce sexual offences onboard transit, Transit Police and Hollaback! Vancouver began an online awareness campaign. Controversy As the only transit police force in Canada, there was concern by transit employee unions and interest groups when the decision to arm members was made. The province and BC Association of Chiefs of Police agreed that their designation as police would require the issuance of firearms. News reports in April 2008 alleged the misuse of Tasers by Transit Police members. It was reported that officers used the Tasers on offenders for the mispayment of transit fares. A 2010 inquiry found that the incidents of taser usage by the Transit Police were legally justified, given the offenders were actively resisting or assaultive toward police during an investigation. In recent years, arguments have been made that the Transit Police is not an effective use of TransLink's funding or police resources, as one of their primary duties is checking transit fares and issuing tickets. Reports from both sides argue reasons for the existence of police on an urban transit system, and whether a