BC Policing and Community Safety Plan (Details)

Name of province/ territory:

British Columbia

City/ Region:

British Columbia

Description of Initiative:

The BC Policing and Community Safety Plan (BCPCSP) aims to develop policing and crime prevention goals, targets and performance measures for the next three, five, and 10 years. It is part of our efforts to modernize the justice sector and make it more transparent and responsive to British Columbians.

We will be focusing on crime prevention, community safety, police oversight, the governance and structure of policing, and a comprehensive strategy around gangs and guns in our province.

This strategic plan for policing was built using citizen engagement and stakeholder consultation to provide communities and interested parties with opportunities to help define priorities, develop solutions and influence the development process.

Three broad strategies for completing the project include:

• a series of regional roundtables with key stakeholders including police representatives, local governments, community leaders and social services;
• citizen engagement processes including an interactive website and surveys; and
• a small number of focus groups with key stakeholders to develop strategies and solutions.

Initiative Key Objectives:

A strategic plan for policing that sets out goals, targets and performance standards for the next three, five and 10 years. Consistent with the Premier’s overall commitment to open government, a key objective is to ensure public engagement and stakeholder participation throughout the process of developing the plan.

To this end, further objectives include:

• engaging communities across the province in defining priorities and developing solutions in policing and crime prevention;
• developing strategies and solutions based on community needs; and
• building public support for the Strategic Plan for Policing.

Section Responsible for Implementation:

Ministry of Justice Steering Committee chaired by the Deputy Solicitor General

Key Contact:

Sophie Mas
Sophie.Mas@gov.bc.ca

Groups/ Agencies/ Key Partners Involved:

• community groups
• other police services
• private agencies/corporations
• civilian governing authorities
• police association or union
• other government departments/agencies
• academic institutes (research and evaluation)

Level of Involvement (consultative - information sharing) and/or cooperative - direct involvement):

Stakeholders have direct involvement in the development of the Plan.

STAKEHOLDER ROUNDTABLES and REPORTS:

In nine different regions, we invited stakeholders who have involvement and expertise in policing and community safety to share with us their ideas and suggestions for BC’s Policing Plan. Our attendees included individuals and organizations from a variety of sectors: community-based and police-based victim services and outreach services, not-for-profit groups, Aboriginal communities, local government and policing.

All the invited representatives were asked to share their expertise, experience and perspectives on crime prevention and public safety, police responsibilities and policing and crime prevention resources.

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT:

We have also reached out to British Columbians directly on a blog. We have been regularly posting questions, many inspired by the conversations happening at our roundtables, and taking ideas privately via e-mail.

PUBLIC SURVEY:

We have now launched a public survey to gather more detailed information on British Columbians’ experiences with crime and satisfaction with policing.

Amount of Time Initiative has been in Place:

First stage (stakeholder roundtables) launched in April 2012.

Reason for Undertaking the Initiative:

The Premier’s platform, the Families First Agenda for Change, calls for the development of a strategic plan for policing that sets out goals, targets, and performance standards, includes police oversight, and identifies ways to strengthen the tools of the Integrated Gang Task Force. The plan is to be established by government and developed by police, community leaders and members of the social services sector.

In addition, the following policing issues make this an optimal time for the province to develop a comprehensive plan for policing:

• recent agreement with the federal government to renew the RCMP contract and the implications for managing the contract and for future decisions about policing in BC;
• increased discussion about the regionalization of policing;
• rising costs of policing and increased fear of crime while crime rates are falling;
• concerns about negative police behaviour and the processes to investigate complaints and serious incidents involving police; and
• concerns about high-profile gangs and guns activity in BC.

Resources Required to Implement this Initiative:

Costs associated with the project are currently set at approximately $500,000. This includes the cost of roundtables, the website, a telephone survey, production costs, focus groups, procurement support, additional temporary staff and a contingency fund. This budget takes into account internal and external costs.

Method of Implementation:

The project was implemented in a series of overlapping steps. First, after project establishment and approvals, we conducted roundtables (March to June) and then we launched the website and posted the blog questions (May). In July we also conducted the telephone survey. In September we will begin focus group meetings and aim to have the draft policing plan posted on the website by November 1 for feedback, with the final Strategic Policing Plan submitted for sign off and announced by the end of November.

Key Outcomes of the Initiative:

Project is still in progress—however, key deliverables include: summary report on the outcomes of the roundtables, website feedback, telephone survey results and focus group reports. These documents will result in the final, comprehensive Strategic Plan for Policing. All deliverables are on track. We will not know what improvements to the efficiency and/or effectiveness of police work are linked to this initiative until the Plan is completed.

Availability of a Communication Strategy:

Yes

Key Messages used to Publicize the Initiative:

The key messages have been for information purposes—the what, why, when, how, where of the initiative.

Forms of Evaluation by which the Initiative will be Assessed:

• N/A

Evaluation Completed or Community Feedback Received:

No

Summary of the Outcomes:

N/A—project still in progress.

Summary of the Performance Measure Data Collected:

N/A

Economics of Policing Pillars:

• Efficiencies within Police Services
• New Models of Community Safety
• Efficiencies within the Justice System

Further Details:

N/A

Additional Comments or Suggestions:

N/A

Record Entry Date:

2013-08-01