Neighbourhood Policing: a Learning Opportunity for Friends of Crime Prevention
Several times a year the network of Friends of Crime Prevention gathers for a learning and collaboration event hosted by the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council (WRCPC).
To usher in 2014, WRCPC hosted a learning event on ‘Neighbourhood Policing’. Naturally, Friends of Crime Prevention & WRCPC have a common interest with the police on all things related to crime prevention, community safety and well-being. Inspector Kevin Thaler from the Waterloo Regional Police Service was our guest to unveil the recent sweeping changes to their organizational structure, daily operations and dispatch methods. The results are what is now known as Neighbourhood Policing. You can find Inspector Thaler’s speaking notes here.
Inspector Thaler covered:
- the shift from traditional reactive policing to proactive, responsive policing that took well over 5 years to implement
- how WRPS used police data and research to reorganize and realign their policing operation and strategies to a neighbourhood policing model
- how the shift to neighbourhood policing allows police officers to have more time for connecting with people in neighbourhoods and communities
- the implementation of the new ‘Online Crime Reporting System’
- new opportunities for patrol officers to have a more engaged and lasting relationship with regional elementary and high schools
It wouldn’t be a Friends of Crime Prevention event without a good discussion. There were a number of insightful and important questions for discussion but we’d like to highlight these four as food for thought and your further comment.
Q. How can the WRPS and Crime Prevention Council establish relationships with school representatives, staff, parents, and young children, when officers are frequently changing and there has been no routine presence of individual officers?
With this new model of an estimated 40% downtime officers are given the opportunity to align with schools if they are willing to accept the long-term responsibility and if they have a direct interest in working with the schools. By allowing officers to make the decision only those who have the motivation and interest will take on the role with all of its responsibilities. The increase in downtime will also allow for more opportunities to meet with the school and the individuals within.
Q. This new dispatching method increases police presence in areas that have higher crime occurrence rates (see www.wrps.on.ca under the ‘Maps’ tab). When does police presence become harmful and insight fear?
While WRPS is currently doing research on the costs/benefits of higher police presence, officers are combating this issue by attempting to foster better relationships with the citizens in these particular communities. Rather than simply cruising or patrolling in these communities, officers are stopping to talk about more than just crime reduction. Educating and being educated, informing and being informed are all major aspects of an officer’s role.
Q. What has been the response to the new online reporting program?
Growing numbers of anecdotal evidence supporting online reporting and marketing strategies are being used to bring the online reporting system to the attention of the general populace. The program offers citizens an opportunity to report minor crimes without having to call 911 numbers. This helps officers track and manage minor crimes while reducing the overall number of line calls.
Q. Only 17% all 911 calls are for dangerous and immediately threatening crimes (as defined on the WRPS website under the ‘Staying Safe’ tab). Therefore 83% are for peacekeeping, social disorder related issues which could be dealt with by either the non-emergency line 519- 653-7700 or online reporting. How can we help the general public become more educated in regards to how to contact the police and defuse this 83% to more effective means of reporting?
This question was brought up at the end of the discussion time and prompted a great deal of input for the fact that a large number of police resources go into dealing with things that don’t need police response or intervention.
What do you think? What changes would you suggest to ensure that police are able to focus on what matters most, in an efficient manner? Share your suggestions in the comments below or join the WRCPC meeting on March 21 where we will have a follow up discussion on the future of policing. We would love to hear your thoughts!
Summary by Ryan Maharaj, MSW Student with WRCPC. Ryan recently moved to Waterloo in pursuit of his Masters in Social Work at Laurier University. Placed at the Crime Prevention Council, he has been given the opportunity to explore the role of male allies in the movement against sexual and intimate partner violence. He firmly believes that with respect, support, compassion, and education we can prevent the occurrences of sexual violence in the next generation.