Contract Policing

Objective The overall objective of Contract Policing is to provide community policing services to provinces, territories and municipalities under contract to the Federal Government of Canada (Solicitor General of Canada), including: the investigation; the detection and prevention of crime; the enforcement of laws; the maintenance of peace and order; and, the protection of life and property.

Description The Royal Canadian Mounted Police engages in the delivery of Community Policing Services under contract in all provinces and territories of Canada with the exception of Ontario and Quebec. New agreements were signed on April 1, 1992, effective for a twenty-year period. Individual municipal policing agreements have also been negotiated between a number of municipalities and the Government of Canada in the contract provinces and territories. The exception to this arrangement is in the Province of British Columbia, where a general municipal policing agreement exists between the provincial government and Canada, for the provision of municipal police service to specific municipalities.

The manner in which such services are delivered is based on the community policing philosophy. This is a comprehensive organizational and operational approach which aids in preventing crime and helps identify the social needs of the communities policed pursuant to contractual agreements. The communities served under contract play an integral role in the recognition, development and determination of community policing needs, and are active partners in many of the principal police tasks, such as crime prevention services, operational support and enforcement.

One of the important elements upon which the cost-sharing of police services is based is that members of the RCMP employed under these agreements also conduct federal enforcement investigations. The agreements also provide a source of experienced personnel to assist in major investigations, emergencies and special events where increased resources are required.

The RCMP provides general policing services to First Nation communities located in the contract provinces and territories. To enhance policing service to First Nation communities, satellite offices have been established in some reserves. This initiative has proven so successful that the establishment of additional satellite offices is now planned. Special emphasis is being placed on the need to provide policing for Aboriginal people that is impartial and sensitive to their needs. Organization for Delivery

Contract resources are deployed across Canada by Divisions which coincide with provincial/territorial jurisdiction. Divisions are further defined organizationally into "sub-divisions" or districts, which comprise groups of detachments.

The detachment is the organizational component assigned the prime responsibility for law enforcement and the prevention of crime within prescribed boundaries. The majority of police services are delivered by the detachment. Each detachment, regardless of size, operates independently with its own dedicated resources and is responsible for meeting the policing needs within its defined jurisdiction. Detachment members consult and collaborate with community leaders and citizens in setting policing strategies and developing plans of action that will meet the needs of the community within the geographic boundaries of the detachment. The detachment represents the most visible uniformed police resources observed by the public.

In support of detachments, specialized units and operational support groups are maintained at division headquarters, as well as the sub-division and detachment level, depending upon the population base and the number of members deployed ( e.g. general investigation, traffic and crime analysts and police service dogs, etc.). Specialized services support and enhance the ability of the uniformed member to perform his or her duties.

Program Management

The management of the delivery of RCMP Community Policing is governed in part by the terms of the policing agreements. In general, the internal management including administration and application of professional police procedures, remain under the control of the federal government. The control and accountability limits of the Force are determined by the RCMP Act which assigns the control and management of the Force to the Commissioner under the direction of the Solicitor General of Canada. Those internal management prerogatives provided to provincial/territorial ministers are specifically identified in the agreements and recognize the right of provincial/territorial attorney/solicitor general to direct the provincial/territorial police service in its enforcement provisions of the Criminal Code and relevant provincial statutes, municipal by-laws and territorial ordinances. Commensurate with a provincial/territorial attorney/solicitor general's authority to direct is also the responsibility for the determination of the overall policing priorities, objectives and goals, including to the extent practical the allocation of personnel and equipment of the provincial/territorial police service.

Division commanding officers are directly and at all times accountable to the Commissioner of the RCMP for the delivery of Community Policing services. Commanding officers, however, act generally under the direction of provincial/territorial attorneys/solicitors general in the administration of justice, including the implementation of provincial/territorial policing objectives, priorities and goals. Commanding officers are operationally responsible for police service delivery which is delegated within each division to the detachment or unit. At this level, it is the community policing officer who, in concert with the community/neighbourhood consultative committee, is responsible for the determination and implementation of community policing strategies that meet the individual policing needs of each community.