The Canadian Police Information Centre's 50th anniversary

This year the Canadian Police Information Centre system is celebrating its 50th year of service to the Canadian law enforcement community.

What is the Canadian Police Information Centre system?

The Canadian Police Information Centre system, which is operated by the RCMP's National Police Services program, became operational on July 1, 1972 to improve communication of public safety and criminal justice information in Canada.

The Canadian Police Information Centre system is the only national information sharing system that links law enforcement and other public safety partners across Canada. Through the Canadian Police Information Centre system, criminal justice information is shared 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Over 100,000 law enforcement officers in Canada and hundreds of partner agencies both nationally and internationally access its information to help advance their law enforcement mandates and keep Canadians safe and secure.

Canadian Police Information Centre system facts and figures

• The Canadian Police Information Centre system handles over 300 million queries each year
• The Canadian Police Information Centre system contains about 38 million records in its investigative data banks
• The Canadian Police Information Centre system serves hundreds of law enforcement, regulatory and public safety agencies including more than 700 RCMP detachments and over 160 different police services across Canada

The Canadian Police Information Centre is steadfast in it's commitment to public and police safety across Canada and to our international partners. The system has evolved significantly over the past 50 years. It started with "stand alone" terminals scattered across the country operated by a handful of officers in select offices. Today, Canadian Police Information Centre can be accessed from potentially any police computer, whether it be in an office or vehicle, and is integrated within numerous police records management systems.

The RCMP looks forward to continuing to collaborate closely with the Canadian law enforcement and public safety communities, particularly as technology evolves, to ensure the Canadian Police Information Centre system remains a key tool in sharing accurate, timely, and relevant information to support law enforcement operations.