Community Policing
1091 Portage Ave
Winnipeg MB
R3C 3K2
(204) 984-7481

Is a partnership between the police and the community, sharing in the delivery of police services.

Community Policing is a philosophy which began early in the history of policing and in particular, within the RCMP. It all began with Sir Robert Peel (1829), who introduced the Metropolitan Police Act of 1829. The Act created a structured police force known as the London Metropolitan Police Force. He grouped his patrol constables in a structured organization. Peel had his members work closely with the community.

In 1873 the N.W.M.P was established and sent to settle the West. The roles of the N.W.M.P. at that time were to protect the natives (Protection), establish social order (Service), establish law and order (Enforcement), and control the whisky trade (Prevention). Due to an increase in urbanization, a distancing evolved between the community and the police. This led to the driving force of professional policing (incident driven). Professional policing is rapid response, attending to all calls, number of charges laid and reactive policing.

Over the last decade studies have shown that rapid response is not as effective as what we might expect. With that a move toward community policing occurred and a number of community policing approaches/strategies were developed by different police forces.

As a result, the role of the police is now viewed as; partnerships, protection, accountability, education, interpretation and enforcement of laws.

Community Policing provides a professional, effective service which ensures safe homes and safe communities. Community policing is the joint responsibility of the citizens in partnership with the RCMP. Emphasis is placed on addressing and reducing crime through increased community participation and problem solving techniques.

Community Policing is not a program, it is a philosophy intended to make the RCMP more resource efficient and sensitive to specific community needs.

Community Policing depends on partnerships within the community to identify and target problems that are specific to the community.

FIVE APPROACHES OF COMMUNITY POLICING

• 1) Deployment Approach: Out of patrol cars, community stations, bike patrols, reduce the call work load and deploy somewhere else.
• 2) Community Revitalization Approach: Take back the streets, community fix ups, the Broken Window Theory.
• 3) Customer Service: Focus on quality service, public relations and community programs. No call is to small.
• 4) Legitimacy Approach: More legitimate with minorities, ethnic liaison program, hiring program for minority groups, sensitivity training etc.
• 5) Problem Solving Approach: Problem oriented policing, it focuses on causes of incoming calls and problems rather than symptoms.

  PROBLEM SOLVING

  There are many problem solving models; over 100 of them and the RCMP has adopted one derived from problem oriented policing. Problem oriented policing was first developed by Professor Herman Goldstein in 1979 and it was later expanded in his "Problem Oriented Policing". His information was obtained from good street cops with good common sense. Problem solving, attempts to get to the source (roots) of the incidents and to the bottom of the problem by involving both the community and the police to make the community a better place to live and to reduce officer workloads. Problem Solving is NOT a program like crime prevention or block parent or neighbourhood watch, where only a few officers are involved. Problem Solving is a way of doing police work (business) which involves the community and the police.

  The CAPRA problem solving model is but one of many methods that Members can use to advance the communication and involvement of the community in its policing needs. The CAPRA model was chosen as a standard tool to give all Members the same skills to remove, reduce or deflect increasing incidents of crime.

  It is a unique operational model in that it provides an opportunity for you to exercise any combination of service, protection, prevention and enforcement whether a problem or potential problem can be prevented. It is more than a problem model. It is designed to assist the police officer or other members of the work force to anticipate problems and to prevent problems from arising where appropriate, in consultation with a partner, as much as it is to resolve problems through multi-disciplinary, inter-agency and consultative process. It applies to enforcement as much as prevention. It reflects an understanding of clients’ needs, demands and expectations and where possible, using partnership approaches.

  CAPRA Problem Solving Model

  C= Clients

  Defining and understanding clients is not only critical but complex. As part of the community, police serve diverse communities and sub-components of communities, citizens whether as callers for service, participants in incidents, bystanders, victims, witnesses, sources, suspects or offenders. It requires skills in communicating, interviewing, establishing and maintaining relations, and consensus building.

  A= Acquiring and Analysing

  There are 2 steps to follow:

  1) IDENTIFICATION

  • - Identify if there is a problem.
  • - Define the problem
  • - Establish the links between the problem
  • - Set priorities among the problems
  • - Develop a plan of action. (Assign tasks).

  2) ANALYSIS

  • - What are the incidents.
  • - What have the police tried so far.
  • - What are the underlying causes of the problem?
  • - Obtain information from police sources, other agencies, outside
  • experts, community, offenders.
  • - Gather information about actors, situations, physical settings.
  • - Specify information that is lacking.
  • - Note barriers in resolving the problems.
  • - Examine crime patterns, community profile.

  P= PARTNERSHIP

  Given the increasingly complex police problems we require:

  • - Multidisciplinary teams (social services, Health and Welfare Canada etc.)
  • - Groups composed of civilians and police with various skills.
  • - Knowledge and resources for problem solving.

  R= RESPONSE

  • - Select specific solutions using creative policing/community strategies.
  • - Specify implementation plan

  A= ASSESSMENT

  • - Where the strategies effective.
  • - Did the approach actually work.
  • - When you start problem solving, you must have reasonable expectations

1) Elimination

2) Reduction

3) Displacement

The delivery of policing services is based on the principle that community polcing encourages citizens to become active plarticipants in the policing of their communities. Some of the Community Policing services are as follows;

Community Policing Services:

*Victim Services
* Restorative Justice
* School Safety
* Community Policing, News Letter, Best Practices
* Aux. CST. Program
* RCMP Police Venturing
* Best Practices
* Aboriginal Policing
* COPP (Citizen On Patrol Programs)

VICTIM SERVICES

In cooperation with the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General for Manitoba, we have responded through the implementation of a police-based Victim Services Program. This program is supported by professional coordinators and volunteers at various locations throughout the province, who are dedicated to responding to the needs of victims and crime. We believe that addressing the needs of victims can have a profoundly positive impact on how both the individual and the community responds in the aftermath of a crime or tragedy.

Working With the Victims - The aftermath of a crime, accident or emergency can be traumatic and overwhelming for the victim, family and witnesses. In the past, the needs of victims of crime and tragedy often have been overlooked. The Victim Services Unit has been established to address those needs by providing support, information and referral.

The Manitoba Victim’s Rights Act exists to ensure the right of victims to information about, and a voice in, the Criminal Justice System. The intent of this legislation is to create a system that is more responsive and accountable to victims.

It is therefore a goal shared by the RCMP and Manitoba Justice to enhance the rights and services to victims of crime in our province. In pursuit of this goal, these two organizations have joined forces to provide a Victim Service Program to communities in rural Manitoba. Funding for the program is provided by Manitoba Justice. The RCMP, with the cooperation of the communities, coordinate and deliver the services.

Crime can have a destructive impact on our communities and on those directly affected. As a victim of a crime, you may experience a range of emotions in the aftermath of the event from a loss of control to isolation to emotional turmoil and confusion. Dependent on the nature of the crime, you may have to deal with family conflicts, physical injuries or employment and financial problems. At the same time as you face these personal challenges, the necessary Criminal Justice System proceedings occur around you. These proceedings may compound an already difficult and chaotic time.

Support services with a specific mandate to care for those victimized by crime can help! They provide information, emotional support, practical assistance and referral to other helping agendas.

RCMP Rural Victim Services is a police-based program available in various locations throughout the province. It offers a range of services designed to deliver confidential information and assistance. It is supported by professional coordinators and volunteers who are dedicated to responding to needs of victims of crime. We believe that addressing the needs of victims can have a profoundly positive impact on how both the individual and the community responds in the aftermath of a crime.

VICTIM SERVICES..........

• offers emotional support

• provides practical assistance completing Victim Impact Statements and forms for other programs such as      
  Compensation for Victims of Crime

• provides information and updates about your specific case.

• provides information about the Criminal Justice System and can explain and prepare you for the court process

• provides court accompaniment and support

• will make referrals to other agencies, programs and services in the community and the province that are
  available to you to best meet your needs

• can supply home security information

If you are a victim of a crime who requires assistance and would like more information on the Victim Services Program or if you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact you local RCMP Detachment- Victim Services Unit.

More information on this program is also available by contacting:

Victim Services
Community Policing Services
RCMP "D" Division
1091 Portage Avenue Winnipeg,
MB R3C 3K2
(204) 984-7481

COMMUNITY POLICING NEWSLETTER!!!