Quebec
Quebec City
Within the Service de police de la Ville de Québec (SPVQ), this initiative means doing things differently. We are investing in our human capital through skills training, career management support, a recognition program and a development plan for the skills identified. Plus, we have introduced an innovative program for managing extraordinary measures that, to date, has more than proven its worth. We have worked to improve some of our processes, such as the processes for managing domestic violence, sexual assaults and evidence. We are now recognized as the benchmark in these areas. We have introduced a structure for the management of use of force. We have developed numerous prevention projects, including some that have been commended a number of times. We have worked to better equip our police officers through improved car computer terminal speeds, electronic reporting and event mapping, to name a few.
All areas of the organization that have been involved in these projects, the strategic and administrative affairs section, special investigations section and local surveillance section.
Sophie Béginsophie.begin@ville.quebec.qc.ca
Consultative and cooperative
As we have needed to introduce budget cuts since at least 2007, we started some work at that time.
Some initiatives were undertaken because of financial considerations, some for social or human factor considerations.
There was not really a financial assessment for these initiatives. However, we knew that it would be an investment for the medium term before we see some of the expected benefits. We primarily used internal resources for all these projects, except for those involving technology, which required staff from the technology department. Also, a consultant was used to develop management of extraordinary measures.
For all the projects, implementation was phased in.
We already feel that we have greatly improved the work environment. Our people recognize the quality of training that is now offered. We are known for our management of large events. The computer response time in our cars is very quick and we have almost eliminated paper reports. We are recognized as the benchmark in Quebec for managing evidence.The management of human capital essentially aims to take care of our resources by offering training adapted to the many different functions within the organization. A three-year training plan ensures good planning for all the training activities for all our target groups. Plus, we have a performance recognition program. We have adapted our staffing and personnel selection tools, particularly by using polygraphs to ensure high quality selection of our candidates. We have identified the expected competencies for all frontline managers, middle managers and senior managers. The management of extraordinary measures is a process that helps guide management and decision makers in extraordinary policing situations or in support of emergency management or firefighters, such as large protest management, viaduct collapse, flooding, etc. This guide, which is known and implemented, helps easily identify the steps to take to assess the situation, manage the crisis, maintain viable recovery strategies and plans, and ensure continuity of policing services.For the management of processes for domestic violence, sexual assault and evidence, all the operational processes were reviewed and corrective measures were made in response to a request from the Ministère de la sécurité publique (MSP) inspectorate.The management of use of force is carried out through a use-of-force management structure essentially composed of a lieutenant and use-of-force advisors. This structure allows SPVQ to prevent incidents and take pre-emptive corrective action to avoid having problems with conduct that may lead to injuries and/or legal action.We have developed the following training programs that have been very successful: “Vigil Vigilant” provides prevention tips for kindergarteners; “Fait le bon choix! [make the right choice]” shows seven ways to say no to drugs; and “Gèle tes choix, gèles pas ta vie [get high on your choices, not on drugs]” deals with drugs. We aim to give young people the tools to face various situations so that they can make choices and be more aware of the consequences of using drugs and having a criminal record.The technology projects undertaken are as follows: improved car computer terminal speeds involved a change in technology to allow for more bandwidth and thereby increase the speed and improve functionality with respect to different software in the cars. An electronic incident report was developed that allows our patrol officers to draft a report from the car terminal. Event mapping is a tool that allows for the transmission of crime and incident statistics according to patrol area during briefings.
Yes
We make it a point always to communicate internally all organizational changes and progress updates.
Various police forces recognize the SVPQ’s know-how on managing large events. The inspectorate recognized us as the benchmark for managing evidence. Our staff recognize all the efforts put into make their work easier, enhance their knowledge and skill level and recognize their work.
N/A
It allows us to create synergy internally and thus, for the time being, make do with our current operational budgets.
Despite our efforts to try to improve our processes, it should be noted that this has its limits and will not be sufficient in the short term to cover the costs of providing Level 4 police services on our current budget.
2013-08-01