B.C. Policing and Community Safety Plan

Engagement Summary

The Ministry of Justice, Police Services Division, sought information from British Columbians on their perceptions of public safety, crime and policing in their communities and throughout British Columbia. The British Columbia Policing and Community Safety Plan (the Plan) was an opportunity to contribute to policing and crime prevention goals, targets and performance measures for the next three, five, and 10 years.

Five specific engagement activities were undertaken: regional community and stakeholder roundtables, focus group meetings, an interactive website, a telephone survey, and public and stakeholder consultation on the draft Plan that was released for comment in February of 2013.

Timeframe

• Regional stakeholder roundtables were held from April to June 2012
• Telephone surveys were held from May 29 to July 10, 2012
• Stakeholder and subject matter experts were invited to participate in focus groups from September to October 2012
• An interactive website was launched in May 2012
• From February – September 2013 a draft version of the Plan was released for consultation; feedback was received from the public, stakeholders, and roundtable participants.

Input Received

• 352 people attended a series of regional stakeholder roundtables that were held in 9 locations around the province; participants included local government, First Nations representatives, community leaders, social services organizations, and local police
• 2,400 telephone surveys were completed
• 10 focus groups meetings were held to discuss issues that emerged from the roundtable sessions

Input leads to action:

Some updates and minor changes have been made to the Plan. For example, a new Value (concerning the relationship between police and First Nations) and a revised Value (concerning the importance of input and collaboration from community stakeholders) are included. In addition, some feedback indicated that additional clarification of RCMP accountability to the provincial government was required. Sections referencing the RCMP have been revised. The Plan is a living document which will be reviewed every year by the Ministry of Justice.

To view the 16 action items based on themes that arose throughout this engagement as well as the timelines for their implementation, please view page 42 of the British Columbia Policing and Community Safety Plan:  http://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/law-crime-and-justice/criminal-justice/police/publications/community/bc-policing-plan.pdf

For Sentis’ report on the 2012 Survey of British Columbians (PDF):  http://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/law-crime-and-justice/criminal-justice/police/publications/community/csp-5.pdf

For the B.C. Policing Plan Regional Roundtables Summary Report (PDF) summarizing the 9 stakeholder roundtables that were held in 2012:  http://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/law-crime-and-justice/criminal-justice/police/publications/community/police-roundtable-summary-report.pdf

Additional information can be found at:  http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/criminal-justice/policing-in-bc/publications-statistics-legislation/publications/policing-community-safety-plan