The final version of British Columbia's long-term policing plan, released on Dec. 12, provides updates on 16 action items at the core of the draft version released in February for stakeholder and public feedback.
The action items in the British Columbia Policing and Community safety Plan (BCPCSP) focus on modernizing the province's policing and law enforcement framework over the next three, five and 10 years.
Notable progress to date includes:
• The announcement in November of a multi-year, expert-led process to examine how policing is currently funded and structured, to better define funding responsibilities at each level of government, and to lay the groundwork for exploring new service delivery models.
• The appointment in September of a blue-ribbon panel that is now meeting to examine existing crime-reduction initiatives and research from other Canadian provinces and other countries. Regional
Round-table consultation sessions with stakeholders will follow in 2014.
• Pursuant to the recommendations of the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry, an analysis is underway of missing person’s legislation in other jurisdictions and an exploration of options for B.C.
In addition, the values expressed in the final plan expanded to reflect the intent to strengthen relationships between police and First Nations. The plan notes renegotiation of the First Nation Policing Agreements is currently underway, with completion anticipated in March 2014.
The finalized BCPCSP represents a promise made and kept, fulfilling Premier Christy Clark's commitment to develop a long-term, strategic plan for policing in B.C. The plan is online at:
www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/policeservices/publications-index/docs/BCPolicingPlan.pdf.
"The British Columbia Policing and Community Safety Plan represents a promise made and promise kept: it fulfils Premier Christy Clark's commitment to develop a long-term, strategic plan for policing," says Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton.
The plan will build on existing successes, including B.C.'s lowest crime rate in four decades and various tough and leading-edge approaches to specific safety concerns, such as our drinking and driving and excessive speeding laws, she adds.
"The action items reflect a vision of police better connected to the communities they serve and empowered to collaborate, share intelligence and communicate more effectively across jurisdictions.
Ultimately, it's about creating the safe and strong communities we want for ourselves and our families."
FAST bytes
• The final BCPCSP is the culmination of extensive stakeholder and public engagement during 2012, which resulted in a draft plan released for further input and comment last February.
• The plan is centred around five themes and, within them, 16 action items that will guide the evolution of policing over the next three, five and 10 years.
• Many of the action items identify more immediate steps that can be taken over the next few years, using existing resources. Other items are aspirational and will be completed as resources become available.
• Consistent with the earlier draft, the final plan lays out facets of policing in B.C. today, including funding, structure and accountability mechanisms. It also includes appendices setting out the consultation and engagement process that informed the final plan, and covering milestones in the province's policing history.
For more information, go to www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/policeservices/publications-index/docs/BCPolicingPlan.pdf.