Royal Canadian Mounted Police
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2008-2009 Annual Report
COMMANDING OFFICER'S MESSAGE
The 2009-2010 Year In Review serves as a measure of our successes of the past year as well a report of our priorities for the future.
“L”Division RCMP are very fortunate to have the strong support of our Provincial and National Government officials, First Nation leaders, policing partners across the Island, and most importantly, the people of Prince Edward Island. We work closely with each stakeholder to address community priorities and provide a quality, trusted and professional police service. Relationships are key to the continued success of our overall goal to reduce crime and victimization and we do that by strengthening existing relationships and continuously building new ones.
Strategic priorities include youth, highway safety, family violence prevention, and organized crime and with each of these priorities, the most efficient and long-lasting means to reduce these negative aspects of society is through education, prevention and effective enforcement at all levels.
Our employees are dedicated and proud of their role within the province and play a number of roles within the community as advisors, mentors, peacemakers and law enforcers and, just as important, neighbours and members of the community they serve. Working with our neighbours and our partners in the Government of Prince Edward Island and the Government of Canada, along with numerous non-government organizations, we contribute to the creation of safe communities for all Islanders.
As Commanding Officer for “L” Division, Prince Edward Island, I am pleased to present this year’s annual report, “2009-2010 Year in Review” and commend all employees of “L” Division for their ongoing dedication to their profession. Through our collective team efforts with our communities, we enjoy safer communities and address current issues together.
Chief Superintendent Randy Robar
“L” Division Commanding Officer
CONTACT US:
“L” Division Corporate Planning and Client Services
450 University Ave, PO Box 1360
Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N1
http://www.rcmp.ca/pe
OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
Our strategic priorities are carefully selected after rigorous scanning and analysis of the external environment to support the achievement of our strategic goal. The selection of priorities allows us to focus strategically on enhancing public safety and include:
Serious and Organized Crime
The pervasive nature of organized crime groups in legitimate global and domestic commercial markets makes their impact extremely widespread. Ranging from small groups of three individuals to larger more extensive networks, organized criminal groups are present in Canada and abroad.
Organized crime affects the daily lives of Canadians. The health and safety implications of organized crime are important to all Canadians. You may not be aware of it, but organized crime can affect your take-home pay (health care and tax losses are recouped by paying for those who are drug addicted, and for people trafficked into Canada); your property tax bill (policing costs and costs of money laundering effects to the local economy); your electricity bill (hydro diversion for drug operations); your car and home insurance bills (organized auto theft rings and property break-ins); your monthly banking fee (as a profit-seeking business, banks need to recover bank fraud costs by billing regular customers); your credit card payment (credit card fraud and identity theft costs to banks are recovered in your interest rate payments), and much more.
In terms of economic-related crimes, it is estimated that organized crime costs Canadians $5 billion every year; that’s $600 a year for a family of four. This amount, however, does not include costs related to the many other crimes (i.e. drugs, counterfeit goods) that organized crime groups are involved in.
Organized crime affects our basic Canadian rights to peace, order and good government. Acts of violence and intimidation in our communities, potential corruption in our political systems and government greatly diminish quality of life, compromise our personal security and disrupt our private life.
(Source: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/oc-co/index-eng.htm) French translation already available at: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/oc-co/index-fra.htm
National Security
Anything that impacts the fabric of Canadian society could be considered a threat to national security. The RCMP will focus its efforts on: espionage or sabotage against Canada; foreign influenced activities detrimental to the interests of Canada; activities directed toward or in support of the threat or use of acts of serious violence against Canadians for political, religious or ideological objectives; and, activities leading to the destruction or overthrow by violence of the government of Canada.
The greatest threat to Canada’s national security is the threat of terrorist criminal activity in Canada and abroad. The role of the RCMP is to understand, detect, disrupt/prevent and investigate that threat. There is an organizational necessity to ensure that our response to the threat of terrorist criminal activity is strategically aligned, focused and centrally controlled by National Headquarters. We need to ensure capacity and capability to achieve a multi-faceted approach including outreach/awareness, prevention, strategic analysis, information/intelligence sharing, and enforcement.
Investigative successes are largely determined by flexibility, leadership and collaboration with foreign and domestic law enforcement partners. We must continue to become more proactive and responsive in accordance with the level of threat.
National Security, continued.
This end-state can be achieved by maintaining a nation-wide integrated National Security Program; by continuously improving information sharing practices with other federal agencies and partners consistent with current policies; by developing outreach and education strategies that will lead to the engagement of stakeholders across the country and assist Canadians in avoiding being victimized; and by ensuring the situational awareness of the RCMP Senior Executive and government on the status of the threat environment.
Finally, we must also enhance our abilities to evaluate lessons learned to better equip the RCMP to detect, disrupt/prevent and investigate terrorist criminal activity.
Youth
A key objective of the RCMP’s National Youth Strategy is working with young people to prevent crimes involving them either as victims or offenders. We focus on early intervention and root causes with youth, helping young people stay safe in their communities by using crime prevention through social development to reduce youth crime and victimization. The RCMP believe that youth themselves have valuable solutions to offer and are committed to working with all youth to build Safe Homes, Safe Communities.
Aboriginal Communities
The RCMP has had a long and productive history of service to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities across this country, working to build relationships with 600+ Aboriginal communities served by the RCMP. In line with its priority to build stronger Aboriginal communities, the RCMP is committed to working collaboratively with the communities, partners and stakeholders and with Aboriginal organizations. The primary outcome of the RCMP Aboriginal strategic priority is to contribute to the health and safety of Aboriginal communities, achieved by developing community capacity to prevent crime through social development, the ongoing delivery of culturally-appropriate policing services, as well as ongoing consultation and collaboration to ensure their needs are being met.
Economic Integrity
The types of crimes driven by the motivation for profit are extensive and certainly not victimless, with illegal economic activity robbing or diverting funds from hard-working Canadians. The confidence of Canadian consumers and investors in their economy can be shaken – their economic security undermined and their trust in institutions put at risk. The nature of crimes that affect the economy is rapidly changing with globalization and technological progress, allowing criminals to operate beyond jurisdictions using sophisticated and continuously-evolving methods. Law enforcement plays an important role in strengthening and preserving the security and economic interests of Canada. However, maintaining Canada’s economic integrity is a complex issue that must be tackled in cooperation with other law enforcement agencies, governments at all levels, the private sector, and our international partners to ensure that Canadians have confidence in their financial, currency, and market systems.
OUR ACCOUNTABILITY / FOCUS
Together, the Government of Prince Edward Island and the RCMP “L” Division are committed to leading the country in the delivery of superior policing services reflective of community needs and values. The RCMP’s national priorities identified youth, highway safety, family violence, and organized crime as provincial policing priorities for 2009/2010. Successes and initiatives with respect to these priorities include:
Youth
Developing crime prevention strategies through social development is an approach that requires strong and sustainable links to youth, schools and community partners. “L” Division RCMP implemented plans that address youth issues through a balanced approach between education and enforcement. RCMP members, assigned as School Liaison Officers, provide education and awareness to youth along with programs such as Students Against Drunk Driving, and Encounters Canada in Island schools. Our Drug Abuse Resistance Education program continues to expand into the school program. Our Youth Outreach Worker program in Kings and Prince Districts has shown positive results, diverting youth away from crime and towards positive choices through programs such as: Circle of Caring Project; 120 Program; Youth at Risk Employment; Healthy Relationships Group; and, Prevent Alcohol Related Trauma in Youth. Street Level Drug teams and JFO units continue to target street level drug traffickers that prey on our youth. Our School Action For Emergency Program, aimed at preparing schools for emergency situations has expanded to all schools in the province and all front line RCMP officers have been trained in Immediate Action Rapid Deployment to mitigate the risk to our youth. Each District, through their Annual Performance Plans, has implemented strategies to address youth concerns in their communities. Additional attention has been provided to educating both students and parents about internet dangers along with safe use and protective measures for both. Bike rodeos, delivered to the student body, further educate youth on traffic issues pertaining to riding a bike and helmet safety.
Highway Safety
Road Safety Vision 2010 is a national program aimed at reducing traffic related deaths and serious injuries. The RCMP’s target is to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries by 30% within RCMP jurisdiction by 2010 and it’s important that we approach this priority from an enforcement and educational perspective. Impaired driving, speed, and non-use of restraint devices continue to be major contributing factors with both fatal and serious injury collisions. Officers in the schools deliver programs on seatbelts and alcohol/drugs (DARE, PARTY) and hold information sessions on the changes in Provincial Statutes and the implementation of a very thorough graduated drivers licence program. An Impaired Driving Committee has been established with various partners to develop strategies to deal with both first-time and repeat offenders. A Provincial Traffic Committee has also been implemented to deal with traffic-related areas of concern throughout the entire Island. To enhance our enforcement, we’ve updated our roadside screening devices and are in the process of upgrading the breath testing instruments to detect and process impaired drivers. Members receive Standard Field Sobriety Testing training, allowing them to better detect drivers operating under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Our Traffic Services Unit and Island Districts have developed strategic enforcement opportunities that have shown positive results in the detection of impaired drivers, speeding, and non seatbelt compliance. A new initiative, Traffic Unit Team Delivery, includes a five-member team approach, addressing the main causes of fatal and serious injury crashes, traveling from one end of the Island to the other, conducting enforcement initiatives using this team approach. Each District, through their Annual Performance Plan, continues to implement strategies to address highway safety concerns in their communities.
Family Violence Response
Because of the devastating influence family violence has on families and communities, “L” Division continues to work with our partners and local community groups to reduce the number of incidents, keep victims safe, and raise awareness. The RCMP has continued to build upon its relationship with the Family Violence Prevention Coordinator and local police forces with a consistent approach to response, investigation, and follow up care for victims. Family Violence Protocol Training will increase in 2010 to two sessions from one last year for our front line members. The RCMP will also be participating in a focus group for supervisors to help identify any needs or training gaps.
Aboriginal Communities
The RCMP has a long and productive history of services to First Nations Communities. “L” Division provides policing services to two Aboriginal Bands, Lennox Island and Abegweit First Nations. Community Tripartite Policing Agreements have proven effective in enhancing police service delivery and continue in developing and sustaining partnerships through open communication. Our Queens and Prince District Commanders continuously consult with First Nations leaders and citizens to identify policing needs which are incorporated into Annual Performance Plans and District Commanders provide Band Reports to Chief and Council and Community Consultative Groups. To enhance cultural awareness, our members attended local PowWow’s, Circle Keepers Workshops, Touchstone Training, cultural training, attended Church parades, served elders at the Christmas Dinner, and participated in the PEI Indian Residential School Working Group. “L” Division continues to build and maintain strong relationships with our Aboriginal leaders and communities.
Serious and Organized Crime
Organized and serious crime negatively affects the daily lives of all Canadians, with impacts in urban and rural areas. Integration and sharing of intelligence with other law enforcement agencies is critical to the investigation of organized crime. The establishment of CISPEI has served to greatly enhance those efforts within the RCMP in PEI and our municipal partner agencies: Charlottetown Police Services, Summerside Police Services, Kensington Police Services, and Borden-Carleton Police Services. In 2009/10, police again identified organized crime groups operating in the province. These groups are involved in the trafficking of drugs and contraband tobacco.
The identification and analysis of organized crime groups provide senior managers with an effective way to evaluate threats and prioritize enforcement efforts. In a small province with limited investigative capacity, resources must be directed toward groups that pose the greatest threat and/or have the largest cumulative impact/harm on the communities in which they operate. RCMP Drug Section, Customs and Excise Section, Federal Enforcement Section and CISPEI gathered intelligence on these groups throughout the fiscal year and charges are expected in the next fiscal year against at least one provincial drug group.
Economic Integrity
The nature of crimes affecting the economic integrity of Canada is rapidly changing. Criminals are operating globally using sophisticated and continuously-evolving methods. “L” Division has focused its efforts on prevention through awareness campaigns and education as well as the investigation of counterfeiting, fraud, and identity theft in an effort to ensure that Canadians have confidence in their financial, currency, and market systems. Commercial Crime has issued periodic press releases and delivered presentations to local merchants, financial institutions, First Nations Communities, educators, seniors, students, and front line members in an effort to educate and prevent Canadians from becoming a victim of these crimes. Our Federal Enforcement Section has provided numerous education/awareness opportunities on intellectual property crimes to our business and retail sectors. These efforts combined the with the publicity generated by individual enforcement actions have increased the capacity of our target groups to fight these economic crimes.
National Security
All members of the RCMP are vigilant for the signs and indicators of threats to national security, including terrorist activity. While the national security threat in Prince Edward Island remains relatively low, “L” Division has a full-time investigator who is part of the RCMP’s National Security Criminal Investigations Program which provides a national program to detect, prevent and disrupt terrorist criminal activities and other threats to Canada’s national security. PEI’s program works closely with law enforcement agencies in the province, CISPEI, RCMP Division’s across the country, national headquarters and other federal agencies such as Canadian Security Intelligence Service(CSIS), Citizenship and Immigration Canada, and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
POLICING CHALLENGES IN PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is the provincial police agency in the province of Prince Edward Island. The Island is separated from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia by the Northumberland Strait and is linked to the mainland via the Confederation Bridge; the longest bridge in the world over ice-covered waters. The Island’s population stands at approximately 140,402 during most of the year, however, that number increases significantly during the summer months as a result of tourists visiting the province. As a result, the number of petty theft crimes is consistently higher during this time frame, as are complaints in relation to fraud and counterfeiting.
Each year CISPEI prepares an Integrated Provincial Threat Assessment that identifies organized crime groups operating throughout the province. The report also identifies criminal markets, such as illicit drugs, firearms, contraband tobacco and financial crimes that impact Island communities. Organized crime groups operating on P.E.I. vary in size from 10-20 members and are most often involved in the illicit drug trade (marihuana, cocaine, prescription and synthetic drugs) and/or contraband tobacco. One of the aims of this report is to provide senior managers with a tool that can be used to coordinate and prioritize enforcement efforts among all Island policing agencies. It also informs front-line police officers of the emerging crime trends and groups in their areas. Additionally, information gathered for the report is shared with the provincial government to help advise them of the growing pressures associated with addressing organized crime in P.E.I.
In the spring of 2009, “L” Division began a crime reduction strategy pilot program in East Prince, similar to programs in place in British Columbia and New Brunswick. Inherent to the strategy is the knowledge that a large amount of the crime in P.E.I. is committed by a relatively small number of offenders. During the first year of the pilot, “L” Division’s Crime Reduction analyst focused on calls for service with respect to property crime. As a result, P.E.I. has experienced a significant decrease in property related offences in 2009, including occurrences of theft, possession of stolen goods and crimes against persons, and this trend continues.
| RCMP | POPULATION | PERCENTAGE |
| RURAL POLICING | 69,160 | (50.91%) |
| EXTENDED MUNICIPAL | 8,609 | (6.34%) |
| FIRST NATIONS | 252 | (0.18%) |
| DIRECT MUNICIPAL | 8,885 | (6.54%) |
| TOTAL | 86,906 | (63.97%) |
| TOTAL | 86,906 | (63.97%) |
GEOGRAPHIC RESPONSIBILITY
Provincial Total = PEI 5,660 Sq. Kms.
RCMP: 5,572.16 Sq.Km. (98.44 %)
Rural Policing - 5,534.36 Sq.Km. (Including Extended Contracts)
Direct Municipal = 25.52 Sq.Km.
FNCP = 12.28 Sq.Km.
OTHER PDs = 87.84 Sq.Km. (1.55%)
RCMP Services for your community
Aboriginal and Diversity Policing
Auxiliary Constable Program
Air Services Branch
Alternate Dispute Resolution
Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC)
Coastal/Airport Watch
Collision Analyst/Reconstruction
Commercial Crime Section
Community Policing
Crime Intervention (Hostage) Negotiator
Criminal Intelligence Branch
Customs and Excise
D.A.R.E.
Drug Enforcement
Highway Traffic Law Enforcement
Emergency Response Team (ERT)
Explosives Disposal Unit (EDU)
Fitness/Health and Lifestyle Advisor
Forensic Identification Services
Ground Search and Rescue
Health Services
Immigration and Passport
In-Service Training Courses
Information Technology (Informatics)
Integrated Proceeds of Crime (IPOC)
Internal Investigation Section
Major Incident Commander
Major/Serious Crime Investigations
Media Relations/Communications Spec.
Member/Employee Assistance Program
National Security Intelligence Section
Recruiting
Operational Communication Centre
Operational & Financial Administration
Planning and Client Services
Police Dog Services
Polygraph (Truth Verification Section)
Security Engineering - Lock Specialist
Security Systems - VIP & Building Security
Special “T” - Electronic surveillance
Special “O” - Covert physical surveillance
Staff Relations Representative
Tactical Troop
Technological Crime/Criminal Internet Misuse
Traffic Services
Underwater Recovery Team (URT)
Violent Crime Linkage Analysis System
FINANCIAL REPORT
CRIMINAL STATS
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* Actual offences are the number of offences that were investigated and found to have occurred. These reflect the actual crime rate. The number of reported offences is always higher than actual offences as many are investigated and a determination made that they are unfounded. These reflect the workload of the police agency.
Notes: 1 Statistics compiled through Mayors Reports and Police Reporting and Occurrence System (PROS) for “L” Division. Statistics compiled by calendar year. PROS was introduced in Sept. of 2004 and some differences between it and our previous statistical tracking system will result in some anomalies. The above offences are the actual offences for “L” Division as per PROS Mayors Report run 10-08-17. This includes detachments and headquarters units.
2 Figures are for RCMP jurisdiction only. Provincial statutes and municipal bylaws do not include traffic cases.
THE YEAR AHEAD
Integration with all levels of law enforcement and meaningful communications with Islanders remain high priorities. Annual Performance Plans continue to play a key role in ensuring that community-identified priorities are met.
Seniors
Island residents 65 years of age or older represent approximately 20% of the Island population. Seniors are commonly targeted for fraud and tend to feel more vulnerable to crime and violence, placing increased pressure on police to make their presence felt in communities. RCMP is a major partner in the PEI Seniors Safety Program, a non-profit, charitable organization delivering information regarding crime prevention, personal security, and abuse of older adults through group presentations and home visits, covering: Vial of Life; Home Security; Identification of Valuables; and Frauds and Scams.
Tobacco
Sale of contraband tobacco continues to be a major concern in Prince Edward Island. Investments from the provincial government have augmented the efforts of the “L” Division Customs and Excise (C&E) Section. Work continues with National Contraband Tobacco Enforcement Strategy and the Provincial Tobacco Coordinating Committee, bringing together partners including police agencies, Health Canada, Crime Stoppers and others with a collaborative approach to enforcement and communication as the focus. C&E is committed to intelligence-led policing, ensuring that resources are directed toward the largest crime threats (both organized crime groups and individuals) in the province with respect to the smuggling and sale of contraband tobacco.
Drugs
The escalating violence exhibited by drug groups and the variety of drugs now available in the market has made the illicit drug trade the most pressing organized crime threat identified in the province at this time. The local drug market has evolved in recent years from a predominantly marihuana and cocaine based market to a more diverse mix including prescription and synthetic drugs for which there continues to be a high demand.
Prescription drugs (i.e.: Oxycotin and Dilaudid), crack cocaine, club drugs and cocaine remain the main drugs of choice in Prince Edward Island. According to the addictions facility in Mount Herbert, there are close to twice as many people in the province’s methadone program than there were 18 months ago. Methadone is used by people battling additions to heroin and painkillers. According to the addictions facility, 140 people in PEI are in the program with an additional 50 on a waiting list (compared to 80 people in the program just 18 months ago).
Abuse of prescription drugs has grown considerably in the province over the past five years with access to supply and cheaper prices as key components of the growing popularity. Although various methods of prescription fraud are being used to obtain the drugs locally, intelligence indicates a great percentage of prescription drugs on the street are being imported into the province. The provincial government is countering prescription drug fraud through the implementation of an integrated prescription monitoring database, the Drug Information System. The computerized pharmacy network connects pharmacists, physicians, and other authorized health care professionals with electronic medication profiles for all patients, an effective tool in the detection of misuse.
In August of 2009, the RCMP launched a Synthetic Drug Initiative “to eliminate the production and distribution of illegal synthetic drugs in Canada, and reduce the overall influence of organized crime on trafficking in Canada.” RCMP “L” Division is an active participant in this strategy and the Division’s Drug and Organized Crime Awareness Section monitors all occurrences in the province involving synthetic drugs.
Highway Safety
“L” Division continues to contribute to safer roadways through education, awareness, prevention and enforcement. Non-use of restraint devices, speeding, and alcohol related driving offences continue to be the main factors to fatalities occurring on Island roadways. This division is committed to doing its part under the national Road Safety Vision 2010 strategy that aims to reduce death and serious injuries by 30% from 1996-2001 levels by the year 2010.
Criminal Intelligence Program
The core of the fight against organized and serious crime is a vibrant criminal intelligence system. Criminal Intelligence Service Prince Edward Island (CISPEI) continues to link PEI to criminal intelligence services across Canada via other provincial and national bureaus and continues to work with provincial and municipal governments to ensure there is a seamless and integrated process to share timely criminal intelligence to help ensure our Island communities remain safe and secure. In addition to a robust partnership among policing agencies within the province, CISPEI is mandated to work with agencies that have specific law enforcement roles that are provided under federal or provincial legislation. Developing and maintaining such partnerships is in the best interest of the broader intelligence community. In the same vein, CISPEI is working to further enhance its collaboration with agencies and organizations that who have no direct law enforcement authority, but provide assistance to law enforcement agencies. Such partnerships and collaborations are essential for a healthy, vibrant intelligence program in PEI.
Intellectual Property Crime
The Division’s Federal Enforcement Section (FES) continues to work closely with its counterparts across the country, monitoring the presence of counterfeit foods, toiletry items, and electronics, to name a few commonly counterfeited items. FES is also alert to the threat of counterfeit products which pose a serious health and safety risk to the public, such as counterfeit pharmaceuticals. In various areas of the world, several deaths have been attributed to their use.
Change Management
As a result of the employee survey last year, six focus groups were held across the Island with over 50 employees participating. The Change Management Team presented a report to the Commanding Officer outlining 33 recommendations. The report was accepted by the CO and Division Executive Committee.
Fifteen of these recommendations have already been acted upon and we currently have a balanced score card initiative to implement 70% of the recommendations by March 31st, 2010. There is a further BSC initiative to hold at least two professional development (PD) days in the Division so members can sharpen their hands-on operational skills. These PD days will be developed to fit the needs of the membership as identified during the employee focus groups.
Crime Reduction
In the spring of 2009, “L” Division began a crime reduction strategy pilot program in East Prince, similar to programs in place in British Columbia and New Brunswick. Inherent to the strategy is the knowledge that a large amount of the crime in PEI is committed by a relatively small number of offenders. During the first year of the pilot, “L” Division’s Crime Reduction Analyst focused on calls for service with respect to property crime. The strategy is multi-faceted and involves partnerships within PEI’s law enforcement community, justice system and communities. The analyst works closely with police management and front-line police officers to ensure repeated offenders are remanded for crimes they commit. The pilot has been renewed for a second year and, in addition to a continued focus on property crime, there will be a new focus on repeat impaired drivers. In addition to working with East Prince RCMP, our analyst is also working with RCMP and municipal police offices across the province.
