Updates - October 2023
* BC Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act
Transforming Policing and Community Safety in British Columbia (Fall 2022)
Executive summary on pp. 7-8 ... 11 recommendations include:
1. Implement a new Community Safety and Policing Act to govern the provision of policing and public safety services based on values of decolonization, anti-racism, community, and accountability.
2. Transition to a new BC provincial police service that is governed by the new Community Safety and Policing Act. This includes:
a) Establishing a governance model, such as municipal or regional police boards or committees, that is representative of the community and provides opportunities for local input on policing and public safety priorities;
b) Ensuring municipal council representation on municipal police boards or committees, while not allowing the mayor to serve as board chair;
c) Amalgamating police services on a regional basis where there are opportunities to address fragmentation, ensure equitable access to policing and public safety, and improve efficiency and effectiveness.
d) Enabling two police of jurisdiction to facilitate the process of transitioning from one service to another.
3. Ensure all Indigenous communities have direct input into their police service structure and governance, including self-administered services which could provide policing to neighbouring non-Indigenous communities.
4. Create and appropriately fund a continuum of response to mental health, addictions and other complex social issues with a focus on prevention and community-led responses and ensuring appropriate first response. This includes: a) Increasing coordination and integration across police, health, mental health, and social services; and b) Integrating mental health within 911 call options.
5. Ensure equitable access to high quality police and public safety services across BC. This includes ensuring all policing is responsive to and informed by the community.
[email protected]
* RCMP Community Policing Offices in British Columbia
"Community Police Offices (CPOs) are staffed by trained and security-cleared city employees and volunteers. They may not have uniformed police members on site." There are 41 in BC, including CPOs in Mill Bay, Qualicum Beach, White Rock and Cowichan Bay.
Sooke would be a good location for the future?
"You may find at your local CPO some helpful resources with information on: crime prevention relating to business, auto, and home safety information for seniors, parents, and children; fraud information; counselling; drug abuse and awareness The CPO is frequently the hub for community-based crime prevention programs and the volunteers who deliver them. Such programs include: Citizens Crime Watch / Citizens on Patrol; Block Watch; and Speed Watch. At some CPOs, you may be able to complete paper work including: criminal records checks; applications for pardons; reporting of vehicle accidents."
* Body-Worn Cameras - RCMP page + Provincial Policing Standards
- "RCMP to Test Body Worn Cameras Ahead of National Roll-Out" (Global News, May 11, 2023)
Original Post
Province of BC - Municipal Policing website page
BC Fact Sheet: Policing and Security Programs
"Police Resources In British Columbia, 2021" (Dec. 2022 report from the BC Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General ... see pp. 9/10 for how Sooke stacks up with other local governments our size.)
- The BC Police Act is the parent legislation
- The District of Sooke is one of 63 BC municipalities that contracts with the RCMP through the BC Municipal Police Services Agreement
- The Sooke contract in 2022 cost $2,408,764 for local service and regional support from E Division HQ
- An additional $29,483 annually from the District supports Police-Based Victim Services
- Cost for policing in Sooke is $144 per capita, the 13th lowest among 34 BC communities with 5k to 15k residents; the average cost per capita among these local governments is $220. Among CRD munis of this relative size, North Saanich ($137), View Royal ($183) and Sidney ($195). Prince Rupert, with one offer per 366
- The province provides four officers to the detachment in order to meet the division's requirement to police the entire Sooke to Port Renfrew region
- Sooke, for much of the last two decades, has received as much as 30% of its annual police funding through the Small Community Protection Grant as a municipality with 15,000 or less residents (i.e., a declining amount with population growth over the years; $305k in 2021)
- With the population increase in the 2021 Census, Sooke will now be subject to a maximum 10% funding mechanism
- This funding is formalized in the Local Government Grants Act
- Traffic fine revenue is shared with BC municipalities that pay for its policing costs + formula
- Sooke received $90,808 from ticketing activities in 2021 (buckle up #Sooke!)
- Police budgets account for approx. 25% of municipal expenditures in BC (CBC, 2020)
Sooke RCMP
Sooke RCMP Website
BC RCMP Facebook page
Sooke RCMP Twitter
Sooke RCMP (District of Sooke website info page)
DOS 2021 Annual Report (see pp. 39-40)
Sooke detachment comprised of 18 officers covering the Sooke to Port Renfrew region
- 14 municipal and 4 provincial officers ...
- S/Sgt Detachment Commander
- Sgt Operations Commander
- 2 Cpl Watch Commanders
- 9 Cst Front Line Investigators
- Administrative Supervisor
- 3 Administrative Assistants.
- Sooke has increased its share of the department by three additional officers since 2011 ... one new officer hired in each of 2016, 2017 and 2022.
- Staff Sgt. Kevin Shaw has been a first-rate Acting Detachment Commander since early 2022 (my dealings with him have been at his council presentations and through my work with the Sooke Homelessness Coalition; Shaw has established a cooperation agreement with the Sooke Shelter Society and regularly attends SHC meetings.)
- Former Detachment Commander Brett Sinden has now taken a permanent position with regional RCMP headquarters in Victoria; he had succeeded Jeff McArthur and Steve Wright before him.
- The RCMP is currently recruiting for a Sooke Detachment Commander.
The Sooke OCP (2010) calls for a staffing ratio of 1 officer per 1,000 residents in the Sooke region
- As of 2021, the current ratio in Sooke is 1 officer per 1,195 residents
- The provincial average (including cities where crime rates and overall responsibilities require larger forces) is 1 officer per 744 residents.
- The annual costs per officer is very roughly $150k
Related paragraph from the District's 2022 Service Review (Oct. 18, 2021 COW agenda, pg. 67):
"New officer position should be filled in late 2022. RCMP is requesting Council consider the timing of future RCMP officer staffing increases. For 24 hour policing 20-22 RCMP officers would be needed. Currently have 14 + 5 Provincial officers."
Calls for service
2017: 5,777 (79% of them in the District of Sooke)
2018: 5,963 (77% in Sooke)
2019: 5,762 (78% in Sooke)
2020: 5,857 (x% in Sooke; 4,376 calls)
2021: 5,714 (x% in Sooke; 4,309 calls)
Sooke RCMP quarterly reports from Sgt. Shaw:
- Dec. 12, 2022 regular council meeting (listen to the replay starting at 17:50)
- Q1 2022/23 Report (April-June)
- Annual Verbal Report (March 28, 2022; replay starts at 2:17:00)
- Monthly Statistics (Misc.) - First Quarter 2022 + August 2019
Sooke RCMP prepares an Annual Performance Plan (APP) each spring. The latest Sooke detachment priorities:
1. Enhanced Road Safety - Impaired/Aggressive/Distracted Driving, incl. speeding (responsibility of Cpl. Gilhen)
2. Crime Reduction - Prevent and Reduce Property Crime (Cpl. Holmes)
3. Communication and Visibiity - Maintain Positive Relationships (Sgt. Shaw)
4. Contribute to Employee Wellness - Respectful Workplace (Sgt. Shaw)
5. Indigenous Relations and Cultural Competence - Reconciliation (All)
Greater Victoria Integrated Police Units (2020/21 Annual Report)
- Highlights a dozen "integrated policing units, each designed to meet specific needs in a cost effective and service focused way. In each case, the participating police chiefs and detachment commanders believe that the specified service is best provided using a shared service model."
- Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team
- Greater Victoria Public Safety Unit
- Integrated Mobile Crisis Response Team (partnered with Island Health)
- Integrated Canine Service
- Mobile Youth Services Team (Mia Golden & Vic PD's Gord Magee)
- Regional Domestic Violent Unit
- Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers
- Greater Victoria Police Diversity Advisory Committee
- Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit + Sooke 2022 case +
- Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit
- Capital Regional Integrated Road Safety Unit
- Integrated National Security Enforcement Team
Sooke Contributions (2019 figures)
- Victim Services - $8,323
- Intregrated costs - $7,000
- Mobile Youth Services Team - $3,500
- Source information - $5,000 (?)
RCMP National
- Website
- Vision 150 and Beyond (2021, RCMP National Strategic Plan) + PDF
- RCMP Police Issues (2022, Public Safety Canada report)
RCMP In British Columbia
"Quick facts ...
Police in Canada (Canadian Encyclopedia)
Grant programs available through Public Safety Canada
Crime Response
ECOM 911
- About
- "When To Call"
- Non-Emergency Numbers data base
- "If You Are A Victim of a Crime" - BC Ministry of the Attourney General
- About BC's Justice System
- Criminal court lists (case notifications updated daily)
- Civil court lists
Sooke RCMP Online Crime Reporting Portal (non-emergency matters not requiring a call to 911)
- Police Based Victim Services (program run in conjunction with Sooke Transition House Society)
- Sooke RCMP Information Check application form
- RCMP Family Violence Initiative Fund
Miscellaneous News Clips
Sooke
- Sooke Crime Severity Increased Slightly In 2021 (SNM, Aug, 2022)
- Sooke Taxpayers Face $300k Bill for Police Dispatching (SNM, June 4, 2021)
- Sooke's New RCMP Commander Is Loving the Community (SNM, Oct. 2, 2019 re: Brett Sinden)
- Sooke Mounties Look To Another Challenging Year (SNM, Jan. 7, 2019) <clip> "Even if more officers can be secured, McArthur noted that the building housing the RCMP is already at capacity. “We’re growing out of our building, and the face is we’ll be looking to the district, not only to increase manpower but to address our facilities here as well.”
- RCMP Musical Ride in Sooke (August, 2018)
- Sooke Protective Services Meeting Report (March, 2012) <clip> “Sooke compared to other municipalities is grossly under policed,” said Steve Wright, RCMP staff sergeant. “We don’t have enough police officers to go to 24 hour coverage and that is a concern to me.”
BC
- "BC launches crown prosecutor hiring drive" - Jan. 2023
- "BC Government Increases Province-Wide Police Funding by $230 Million" - Nov. 2022
- New Attourney General Faces Pressures - Nov. 2022
- Repeat Offenders - Oct. 2022
Other
- "Should Canada Dismantle Its Mounties" (Toronto Star, Jan. 2023)
- "Why Are So Many Places in Canada Taking About Ditching the RCMP" (Toronto Star, Jan. 2023)
- RCMP (The Walrus)
- Should Greater Victoria Have A Unified Police Force (CBC, Aug. 20, 2022)
* BC Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act
Transforming Policing and Community Safety in British Columbia (Fall 2022)
Executive summary on pp. 7-8 ... 11 recommendations include:
1. Implement a new Community Safety and Policing Act to govern the provision of policing and public safety services based on values of decolonization, anti-racism, community, and accountability.
2. Transition to a new BC provincial police service that is governed by the new Community Safety and Policing Act. This includes:
a) Establishing a governance model, such as municipal or regional police boards or committees, that is representative of the community and provides opportunities for local input on policing and public safety priorities;
b) Ensuring municipal council representation on municipal police boards or committees, while not allowing the mayor to serve as board chair;
c) Amalgamating police services on a regional basis where there are opportunities to address fragmentation, ensure equitable access to policing and public safety, and improve efficiency and effectiveness.
d) Enabling two police of jurisdiction to facilitate the process of transitioning from one service to another.
3. Ensure all Indigenous communities have direct input into their police service structure and governance, including self-administered services which could provide policing to neighbouring non-Indigenous communities.
4. Create and appropriately fund a continuum of response to mental health, addictions and other complex social issues with a focus on prevention and community-led responses and ensuring appropriate first response. This includes: a) Increasing coordination and integration across police, health, mental health, and social services; and b) Integrating mental health within 911 call options.
5. Ensure equitable access to high quality police and public safety services across BC. This includes ensuring all policing is responsive to and informed by the community.
[email protected]
* RCMP Community Policing Offices in British Columbia
"Community Police Offices (CPOs) are staffed by trained and security-cleared city employees and volunteers. They may not have uniformed police members on site." There are 41 in BC, including CPOs in Mill Bay, Qualicum Beach, White Rock and Cowichan Bay.
Sooke would be a good location for the future?
"You may find at your local CPO some helpful resources with information on: crime prevention relating to business, auto, and home safety information for seniors, parents, and children; fraud information; counselling; drug abuse and awareness The CPO is frequently the hub for community-based crime prevention programs and the volunteers who deliver them. Such programs include: Citizens Crime Watch / Citizens on Patrol; Block Watch; and Speed Watch. At some CPOs, you may be able to complete paper work including: criminal records checks; applications for pardons; reporting of vehicle accidents."
* Body-Worn Cameras - RCMP page + Provincial Policing Standards
- "RCMP to Test Body Worn Cameras Ahead of National Roll-Out" (Global News, May 11, 2023)
Original Post
Province of BC - Municipal Policing website page
BC Fact Sheet: Policing and Security Programs
"Police Resources In British Columbia, 2021" (Dec. 2022 report from the BC Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General ... see pp. 9/10 for how Sooke stacks up with other local governments our size.)
- The BC Police Act is the parent legislation
- The District of Sooke is one of 63 BC municipalities that contracts with the RCMP through the BC Municipal Police Services Agreement
- The Sooke contract in 2022 cost $2,408,764 for local service and regional support from E Division HQ
- An additional $29,483 annually from the District supports Police-Based Victim Services
- Cost for policing in Sooke is $144 per capita, the 13th lowest among 34 BC communities with 5k to 15k residents; the average cost per capita among these local governments is $220. Among CRD munis of this relative size, North Saanich ($137), View Royal ($183) and Sidney ($195). Prince Rupert, with one offer per 366
- The province provides four officers to the detachment in order to meet the division's requirement to police the entire Sooke to Port Renfrew region
- Sooke, for much of the last two decades, has received as much as 30% of its annual police funding through the Small Community Protection Grant as a municipality with 15,000 or less residents (i.e., a declining amount with population growth over the years; $305k in 2021)
- With the population increase in the 2021 Census, Sooke will now be subject to a maximum 10% funding mechanism
- This funding is formalized in the Local Government Grants Act
- Traffic fine revenue is shared with BC municipalities that pay for its policing costs + formula
- Sooke received $90,808 from ticketing activities in 2021 (buckle up #Sooke!)
- Police budgets account for approx. 25% of municipal expenditures in BC (CBC, 2020)
Sooke RCMP
Sooke RCMP Website
BC RCMP Facebook page
Sooke RCMP Twitter
Sooke RCMP (District of Sooke website info page)
DOS 2021 Annual Report (see pp. 39-40)
Sooke detachment comprised of 18 officers covering the Sooke to Port Renfrew region
- 14 municipal and 4 provincial officers ...
- S/Sgt Detachment Commander
- Sgt Operations Commander
- 2 Cpl Watch Commanders
- 9 Cst Front Line Investigators
- Administrative Supervisor
- 3 Administrative Assistants.
- Sooke has increased its share of the department by three additional officers since 2011 ... one new officer hired in each of 2016, 2017 and 2022.
- Staff Sgt. Kevin Shaw has been a first-rate Acting Detachment Commander since early 2022 (my dealings with him have been at his council presentations and through my work with the Sooke Homelessness Coalition; Shaw has established a cooperation agreement with the Sooke Shelter Society and regularly attends SHC meetings.)
- Former Detachment Commander Brett Sinden has now taken a permanent position with regional RCMP headquarters in Victoria; he had succeeded Jeff McArthur and Steve Wright before him.
- The RCMP is currently recruiting for a Sooke Detachment Commander.
The Sooke OCP (2010) calls for a staffing ratio of 1 officer per 1,000 residents in the Sooke region
- As of 2021, the current ratio in Sooke is 1 officer per 1,195 residents
- The provincial average (including cities where crime rates and overall responsibilities require larger forces) is 1 officer per 744 residents.
- The annual costs per officer is very roughly $150k
Related paragraph from the District's 2022 Service Review (Oct. 18, 2021 COW agenda, pg. 67):
"New officer position should be filled in late 2022. RCMP is requesting Council consider the timing of future RCMP officer staffing increases. For 24 hour policing 20-22 RCMP officers would be needed. Currently have 14 + 5 Provincial officers."
Calls for service
2017: 5,777 (79% of them in the District of Sooke)
2018: 5,963 (77% in Sooke)
2019: 5,762 (78% in Sooke)
2020: 5,857 (x% in Sooke; 4,376 calls)
2021: 5,714 (x% in Sooke; 4,309 calls)
Sooke RCMP quarterly reports from Sgt. Shaw:
- Dec. 12, 2022 regular council meeting (listen to the replay starting at 17:50)
- Q1 2022/23 Report (April-June)
- Annual Verbal Report (March 28, 2022; replay starts at 2:17:00)
- Monthly Statistics (Misc.) - First Quarter 2022 + August 2019
Sooke RCMP prepares an Annual Performance Plan (APP) each spring. The latest Sooke detachment priorities:
1. Enhanced Road Safety - Impaired/Aggressive/Distracted Driving, incl. speeding (responsibility of Cpl. Gilhen)
2. Crime Reduction - Prevent and Reduce Property Crime (Cpl. Holmes)
3. Communication and Visibiity - Maintain Positive Relationships (Sgt. Shaw)
4. Contribute to Employee Wellness - Respectful Workplace (Sgt. Shaw)
5. Indigenous Relations and Cultural Competence - Reconciliation (All)
Greater Victoria Integrated Police Units (2020/21 Annual Report)
- Highlights a dozen "integrated policing units, each designed to meet specific needs in a cost effective and service focused way. In each case, the participating police chiefs and detachment commanders believe that the specified service is best provided using a shared service model."
- Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team
- Greater Victoria Public Safety Unit
- Integrated Mobile Crisis Response Team (partnered with Island Health)
- Integrated Canine Service
- Mobile Youth Services Team (Mia Golden & Vic PD's Gord Magee)
- Regional Domestic Violent Unit
- Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers
- Greater Victoria Police Diversity Advisory Committee
- Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit + Sooke 2022 case +
- Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit
- Capital Regional Integrated Road Safety Unit
- Integrated National Security Enforcement Team
Sooke Contributions (2019 figures)
- Victim Services - $8,323
- Intregrated costs - $7,000
- Mobile Youth Services Team - $3,500
- Source information - $5,000 (?)
RCMP National
- Website
- Vision 150 and Beyond (2021, RCMP National Strategic Plan) + PDF
- RCMP Police Issues (2022, Public Safety Canada report)
RCMP In British Columbia
"Quick facts ...
- The BC RCMP consists of approximately 10,480 employees, of which 6,800 are police officers.
- Police 99% of the geographic area of BC.
- 72% of BC citizens live in RCMP jurisdictions.
- There are 144 BC RCMP detachments, serving 150 municipalities
- Over 200 Indigenous communities are served by the BC RCMP
- Answer more than 1 million calls for service in a year.
Police in Canada (Canadian Encyclopedia)
Grant programs available through Public Safety Canada
Crime Response
ECOM 911
- About
- "When To Call"
- Non-Emergency Numbers data base
- "If You Are A Victim of a Crime" - BC Ministry of the Attourney General
- About BC's Justice System
- Criminal court lists (case notifications updated daily)
- Civil court lists
Sooke RCMP Online Crime Reporting Portal (non-emergency matters not requiring a call to 911)
- Lost Property
- Theft of Bicycle Under $5000
- Theft Under $5000
- Theft Under $5000 from Vehicle
- Damage/Mischief Under $5000 to Property
- Damage/Mischief Under $5000 to Vehicle
- Driving Complaints
- Hit and Run to Unoccupied Vehicle or Property
- Police Based Victim Services (program run in conjunction with Sooke Transition House Society)
- Sooke RCMP Information Check application form
- RCMP Family Violence Initiative Fund
Miscellaneous News Clips
Sooke
- Sooke Crime Severity Increased Slightly In 2021 (SNM, Aug, 2022)
- Sooke Taxpayers Face $300k Bill for Police Dispatching (SNM, June 4, 2021)
- Sooke's New RCMP Commander Is Loving the Community (SNM, Oct. 2, 2019 re: Brett Sinden)
- Sooke Mounties Look To Another Challenging Year (SNM, Jan. 7, 2019) <clip> "Even if more officers can be secured, McArthur noted that the building housing the RCMP is already at capacity. “We’re growing out of our building, and the face is we’ll be looking to the district, not only to increase manpower but to address our facilities here as well.”
- RCMP Musical Ride in Sooke (August, 2018)
- Sooke Protective Services Meeting Report (March, 2012) <clip> “Sooke compared to other municipalities is grossly under policed,” said Steve Wright, RCMP staff sergeant. “We don’t have enough police officers to go to 24 hour coverage and that is a concern to me.”
BC
- "BC launches crown prosecutor hiring drive" - Jan. 2023
- "BC Government Increases Province-Wide Police Funding by $230 Million" - Nov. 2022
- New Attourney General Faces Pressures - Nov. 2022
- Repeat Offenders - Oct. 2022
Other
- "Should Canada Dismantle Its Mounties" (Toronto Star, Jan. 2023)
- "Why Are So Many Places in Canada Taking About Ditching the RCMP" (Toronto Star, Jan. 2023)
- RCMP (The Walrus)
- Should Greater Victoria Have A Unified Police Force (CBC, Aug. 20, 2022)
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