Commissioner's Letter

For the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), sustainable development is about making good decisions that will support and protect the safety and security of citizens while contributing to the long-term social, economic and environmental wellness of the communities we serve.

The RCMP is responsible for establishing and maintaining the safety and security essential to pursuing sustainable development goals for our communities. By balancing traditional and non-traditional policing roles, the RCMP ensures both short and long-term outcomes for communities and individuals including the safeguarding of personal rights and freedoms; reduction of crime and the fear of crime; crime prevention; economic security; and social development.

Safe Homes - Sustainable Communities (2007-2009) begins with a brief overview of the RCMP and describes the current strategic priorities and the relationships between the operational objectives of our mandate and sustainable development goals. Following is an outline of the process used to define the RCMP vision for sustainable development and the resulting performance framework including goals, objectives, targets and indicators.

The strategy concludes with a discussion of the implementation framework including a review of strategy accomplishments and performance expectations over the next three years. Facts presented throughout this document are found in the RCMP Environmental Scan 2005-2006 unless otherwise referenced.

Departmental Profile: RCMP at a glance

The RCMP is the Canadian national police service and an agency of the Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness (PSEP), entrusted with keeping Canadians safe and secure.

Based on the authority and responsibility assigned under Section 18 of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act [ 1 ], and stated simply, our mandate is to enforce laws, prevent crime and maintain peace, order and security in Canada and for all Canadians. In delivering our mandate, the RCMP is responsible for administering or enforcing more than 250 federal statutes and agreements [ 2 ].

With approximately 26,000 employees, the RCMP provides National, Provincial, Territorial, Aboriginal and Municipal policing services to communities across Canada. Additionally, the RCMP annually engages more than 75,000 volunteers to assist the RCMP, accumulating over 3.5 million hours in volunteer service [ 3 ].

The RCMP is headed by the Commissioner who, under the general direction of the Minister of Public Safety, has the control and management of the RCMP and all matters connected therewith. Deputy Commissioners are organized by business line and together with the Commissioner form the Senior Executive Team responsible for leading all sectors of RCMP service.

The Mounties were established by Sir John A. MacDonald in 1873 as the North-West Mounted Police. After merging with the Dominion Police in 1920, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police was formed

The RCMP is organized into four regions, 14 Divisions, National Headquarters in Ottawa and the RCMP's Training Facility - or "Depot" - in Regina, each identified by a dedicated alpha insignia.

As one of the most internationally recognized national symbols, the red-coated officer on horseback has been used to promote Canada for over a century. The scarlet uniform worn by RCMP members during celebrations, ceremonies and memorials is known as the "Red Serge"

Operating from more than 750 detachments, we provide daily policing services in over 200 municipalities; act as provincial or territorial policing services across Canada, with the exception of Ontario and Quebec; and provide services to over 600 Aboriginal Communities.

The RCMP has one of the largest real property holdings in the Federal Government:

• Approximately 2500 hectares of land, 1300 properties, 3000 buildings within a total floor area of 1,000,000 m ²

With over 12,000 movable assets (land, air and marine fleets combined) the RCMP has the largest land fleet in the federal government

RCMP Strategic Priorities

The strategic priorities of the RCMP are carefully selected after rigorous scanning and analysis of external environments including Integrated Policing, RCMP Business Planning Processes, Speech from the Throne, Federal Budgets, External Factors, Major Events and the RCMP's Environmental Scan [ 4 ].

The Environmental Scan is completed comprehensively every 3 years and updated annually. The Environmental Scan identifies influences and risks to RCMP operations under 7 categories including: Demographics, Society, Economy, Politics and Governance, Science and Technology, Environment, and Public Safety and Security. The compiled research provides RCMP Senior Management with a global picture establishing context for setting strategic priorities and supporting intelligence-led decision making for policing operations.

Using this issue scan, the RCMP is able to identify strategic and management priorities that allow focus on enhancing public safety, sustainable development and effective and efficient operations of our organization within a comprehensive global context.

There are currently 5 priorities driving the strategic framework for the RCMP:

• Organized crime
• Terrorism
• Youth
• Economic Integrity
• Aboriginal Communities

The RCMP's Report on Plans and Priorities (RPP), submitted annually to the Government of Canada Treasury Board Secretariat, establishes program objectives for each strategic priority reported on annually in the Departmental Performance Report (DPR). A brief overview of each strategic priority and the inherent linkages to sustainable development is provided in the following sections.

The Mounted Police Foundation (MPF) was established in 1994 to effectively manage the commercial use of the RCMP's intellectual property. The foundation generates revenues that are used to fund youth based community groups in their efforts to support community policing ultimately creating safer communities

Organized Crime

Organized crime affects the daily lives of Canadians and poses a serious long-term threat to Canada's institutions, society and economy. Acts of violence, intimidation and potential corruption in our communities greatly diminish quality of life, compromise our personal security and disrupt our private life. It is estimated that organized crime (not related to drugs or counterfeit goods) costs Canadians more than $5 billion every year [ 5 ].

Drug trafficking continues to be the principal source of revenue for most organized crime groups. It is also recognized that some profits derived from drug sales may eventually find its way to terrorist and other insurgent groups.

It is recognized that drug trafficking continues to be the principal source of revenue for most organized crime groups [ 6 ]. Detrimental consequences to illicit drug production and use include physical, emotional, social and economic harm to Canadians and their communities. RCMP strategies to combat illicit drug supply and use include using an integrated approach involving measures for prevention, supply interruption, education, enforcement, counseling, treatment and rehabilitation.

Illegal drug production, including methamphetamine laboratories, can result in harmful living conditions for families and communities and can create hazardous environmental conditions including those generated from illegal chemical dump sites.

In Canada, we are making tremendous strides in reaching across borders and cultural boundaries to deal with problems that affect our nation, our communities and our citizens. The RCMP works with communities to reduce the demand and opportunity factors that contribute to organized crime. By working directly with youth, seniors and other vulnerable communities, we communicate with and inform individuals about how to avoid becoming a victim and how to avoid making choices in life that lead to crime. With focus on the root causes of organized crime, the threat and impact can be reduced.

An estimated 800,000 to 4 million people are trafficked annually across international borders, including Canada, resulting in global revenues of over 7 billion dollars.

Terrorism

Since 9/11 the global threat of terrorism, including the fear of terrorist activity, is still prominent in the minds of many Canadians. Potential threats to our national security affect the daily lives of Canadians causing emotional, social and financial impacts.

Globally, we recognize that the connection between terrorism and sustainable development is growing. Many terrorist regions remain in a state of chronic poverty and degraded environment aggravated by widespread oppression of human rights. Unpredictable threats and violence ultimately undermine global stability by creating an environment of fear. The long-term security of the world depends on resolving some of the most important social and environmental issues in some of the world's poorest regions [ 7 ].

The world community is becoming smaller with the advent of globalization. Technology has reduced geographic borders while global populations and infrastructure continue to grow. As a result of rapid globalization, the face of terrorism is constantly changing and presenting an intelligence challenge to government and law enforcement around the world.

RCMP operational efforts are focused on investigating, immobilizing and combating terrorist activity and threats to national security to ensure the citizens of Canada enjoy a safe and secure environment that remains free of threat and the fear of threat.

3,700 large cargo and passenger ships dock in Canadian ports and nearly 3.5 million containers pass through ports annually.

Youth

Many social and economic factors contribute to youth involvement in crime either as victims or offenders. Family environment including level of parental security, school and peer environment, exposure to substance abuse, violence and victimization and many other influences can lead to a variety of outcomes for youth. Although all youth can be considered at risk, particular groups including youth living in poverty, new immigrant youth and aboriginal youth could be considered at high-risk.

In Canada, almost 20% of children live in low-income households. These children exhibit higher rates of poor health, hyperactivity, and delayed vocabulary development. They are twice as likely to live with violence and three times more likely to live with a depressed parent.

Social development, root causes of crime and victimization, community wellness and problem-solving provide the cornerstones of RCMP's strategy for Youth. Crime prevention through social development initiatives allows early intervention in the lives of youth at risk. This approach relies on commitment from the community, schools and other social or youth-oriented agencies for the delivery of educational and preventative programs including: broad-based community crime prevention; school-based liaison and drug awareness programs; and diversion and restorative justice strategies where appropriate.

By focusing on non-traditional policing roles, RCMP officers have the opportunity to play a pivotal role in the lives of youth, especially those who come into conflict with the law. Through effective response to youth crime and victimization, Canadian homes and communities can become safer and more sustainable for everyone. Youth are a constant influence and indicator of the future well-being of our society. They play a critical and irreplaceable role in our communities as they become role models for their peers and families and leaders for our schools, industries and governments.

Bullying is one of the most underrated problems in our schools today occurring once every 7 minutes. While an average bullying episode is brief and lasts an average of 37 seconds, the emotional scars can last a lifetime [ 8 ].

Economic Integrity

The nature of crimes that affect the economy is rapidly changing. In the face of globalization and technological progress, criminals are operating beyond jurisdictions using sophisticated and continuously evolving methods to find victims. Law enforcement plays an important role in strengthening and preserving the security and economic interests of Canada.

A safe and secure economy provides confidence for consumers and investors in conducting business, investing and saving. Concerns for economic integrity extend beyond financial crimes including counterfeit goods and currency; corporate fraud; theft of intellectual property and identity fraud. These problems can impact the overall Canadian economy through loss of confidence both nationally and internationally, in our country's institutions and markets.

Debit card fraud is an emerging issue comprising over 42% of reported identity thefts.

The RCMP contributes to Canada's economic integrity through crime reduction, with an aim of supporting economic and social well-being of all Canadians. RCMP efforts are focused on preventing, detecting and deterring criminal activity that affects the Canadian economy. By building awareness around crimes that affect Canada's economic integrity the RCMP hopes to educate Canadians on the different forms of economic crimes and the measures that can be taken to protect themselves from becoming victims.

Potentially harmful counterfeit goods are increasing in Canada including pharmaceuticals, cigarettes, and electrical products.

Aboriginal Communities

The long term health and security of Aboriginal Communities continues to be a priority for the Government of Canada. The RCMP is committed to ensuring safer and healthier Aboriginal Communities by delivering our programs in a way that is culturally sensitive to the particular needs of Aboriginal Peoples in both rural and urban areas, and in the north. The RCMP has 80 tripartite agreements in place and provides service to over 190 Aboriginal Communities [ 9 ].

RCMP maintains focus on providing a culturally sensitive police service and developing community capacity to prevent crime through social development. The RCMP as Canada's National Police Service aims to make a difference in the lives of Aboriginal Peoples and strengthen the social fabric of our entire country.

Aboriginal people account for 18% of those federally incarcerated yet represent only 3.3% of the population.

An integral part of RCMP's strategy for Aboriginal Communities includes continued use of restorative justice techniques and methods where appropriate. Restorative justice allows law enforcers to work with communities to help them heal and confront problems using traditional Aboriginal Justice Techniques, rather than relying on more formal criminal sanctions or incarceration.

[ 1 ] Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act, (R.S., 1985, C. R-10)

[ 2 ] RCMP Corporate Fact Sheet, 2006-05-10

[ 3 ] RCMP Corporate Fact Sheet, 2006-05-10

[ 4 ] RCMP Environmental Scan 2005-2006; facts provided by the RCMP Environmental Scan unless otherwise referenced

[ 5 ] RCMP Speech Module: Organized Crime, 2006-05-17

[ 6 ] RCMP Fact Sheet: Organized Crime, 2006-05-10

[ 7 ] Sustainable Development Commission UK (SDC): http://www.sd-commission.org.uk/presslist.php?id=31 : accessed by www 28-09-2006

[ 8 ] RCMP Horse and Rider Press, "Brave Program updated", Vol.1 No. 2, 2006

[ 9 ] RCMP Speech Module: Our relationship with Aboriginal Communities, 2006-05-17