BC

Photo: CTV

Transit Police officers survey the scene at a SkyTrain station. March 14, 2012. (CTV)

A national lobby group is pushing for the disbandment of transit police after obtaining documents that allegedly show an officer left an explosive device on a commercial plane in 2011 as part of a dog training exercise.

In a news release on its website, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation said the officer did not know the device was missing for two days, according to documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request.

“This incident is a chilling reminder of what happens when police agencies push past their level of expertise and jurisdiction,” said Jordan Bateman, B.C. spokesman for the CTF.

The CTF said by the time the transit officer brought up the missing explosive with superiors, the Air Canada plane had returned to Toronto.

Air Canada allegedly inspected the plane 14 times in Toronto to make sure the explosive was no longer on the plane, according to the CTF.

The incident never went public, but FOI records show Transit Police prepared a news release with the blessing of Transport Canada and YVR, the CTF said.

Bateman alleged the incident cost taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars.