Review of Integrated Units (Details)

Name of province/ territory:

British Columbia

City/ Region:

New Westminster

Description of Initiative:

Our department decided to perform a review of all the integrated teams we currently sit on and see if we are receiving value for money and whether we would be better off trying a different model. We looked at how often we need to use the service being provided in an integrated model and weighed that against the costs of doing it yourself, contracting out, being part of an integrated unit, etc.

Initiative Key Objectives:

The key objective is to increase frontline policing while not losing service to other areas. The key objective is about increasing efficiency.

Section Responsible for Implementation:

Administration and Patrol

Key Contact:

Dave Jansen
djansen@nwpolice.org

Groups/ Agencies/ Key Partners Involved:

  • other police services
  • civilian governing authorities
  • police association or union

Level of Involvement (consultative - information sharing) and/or cooperative - direct involvement):

Information sharing

Amount of Time Initiative has been in Place:

We performed a review over six months in early 2012.

Reason for Undertaking the Initiative:

The initiative was undertaken because the cost of policing is rising and we needed to assess our options.

Resources Required to Implement this Initiative:

There were not any significant set-up costs. There will be savings as a result of this review. We used our own staff to perform the review in each of their relevant departments so there was no consultant cost.

Method of Implementation:

We just began performing the review when we had time to do it.

Key Outcomes of the Initiative:

The review was successful and we will be switching from an Integrated Unit with Abbotsford, Delta and Port Moody to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Emergency Response Team (ERT) Integrated Unit because it was shown by the review to be more beneficial.

Availability of a Communication Strategy:

Yes

Key Messages used to Publicize the Initiative:

Internal communications have been ongoing and we have been communicating openly with staff at each stage. An external communications strategy hasn’t been put in place yet because we will not switch integrated models until January 2013.

Forms of Evaluation by which the Initiative will be Assessed:

  • internal
  • quantitative
  • qualitative

Evaluation Completed or Community Feedback Received:

No

Summary of the Outcomes:

The outcome is that one of our integrated teams will transition to the RCMP ERT Integrated Unit because it will result in two additional positions at no cost (seconded members) and will also result in savings that are equivalent to a half member. It will also provide more career opportunities for our members. It reduces our legal and financial risk because the RCMP takes on liability for the service.

We will transition into the new integrated unit in January 2013. It isn’t so much of a phase in to the new team as a phase out of the old team.

Summary of the Performance Measure Data Collected:

N/A

Economics of Policing Pillars:

Further Details:

N/A

Additional Comments or Suggestions:

This isn’t a new model of policing, because the model was already there and the integrated team/unit already existed. For us, we realized that there are several models available and we felt it was important to evaluate the way we are providing certain services to see if one of the other models may be better.

Record Entry Date:

2013-08-01

Date modified: