'E' Division Headquarters Relocation and Efficiency Review (Details)

Name of province/ territory:

British Columbia

City/ Region:

British Columbia

Description of Initiative:

In January 2013, employees of the British Columbia (BC) Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) headquarters and members of integrated policing units were united at one site at Green Timbers, Surrey, BC. The project consolidated approximately 2700 employees from 25 separate locations throughout metro Vancouver. As part of this relocation project, all the units involved in the move underwent an efficiency review exercise to streamline operating costs and ensure the realization of economies of scale and service delivery efficiencies.

This review of the service delivery model for each unit was conducted in order to demonstrate sound management of fiscal resources and quality service delivery. An important aspect of the efficiency review was a focus on shift scheduling, overnight custody of police vehicles, operational availability and operational readiness (standby pay), the ratio of operational police vehicles to investigators, and the pooling of administrative police vehicles.

Initiative Key Objectives:

The geographically dispersed units were combined to eliminate fiscal and human resource redundancies, reduce cost and eventually improve information sharing and enhance approaches to operations and service delivery.

Section Responsible for Implementation:

'E' Division Criminal Operations

Key Contact:

Brent Henderson
brent.henderson@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Groups/ Agencies/ Key Partners Involved:

  • police association or union

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

N/A

Amount of Time Initiative has been in Place:

This initiative has been in place since April 2013.

Reason for Undertaking the Initiative:

This project was undertaken to realize potential economies of scale and efficiencies of the move to a new headquarters complex. Our commitment of accountability to the province and communities we serve requires that the RCMP demonstrate sound management of fiscal resources and quality service delivery.

Resources Required to Implement this Initiative:

Primary costs associated with this project involved the time and effort expended by in-house resources for research, preparation of business cases for a small number of exemptions, review of those business cases submitted, and implementation of policy changes.

Method of Implementation:

The project, which included the review of shifts and vehicle fleet, was implemented in phases based on each unit’s move date into the new headquarters facility.

Key Outcomes of the Initiative:

The efficiency review, which included a reduction in the number of unmarked police vehicles and adjustments to shift schedules of staff at the new headquarters, has resulted in significant savings.

Combining geographically dispersed units has: eliminated resource redundancies; allowed the pooling of unmarked police vehicles, significantly reducing the fleet and associated maintenance costs; reduced employee travel time and costs between sites; significantly reduced upgrades and operating costs for outdated buildings; and centralized administrative services, including fleet and equipment distribution, client services and procurement of supplies. All of the above have contributed to financial savings, demonstrating an efficient and accountable police service.

Availability of a Communication Strategy:

Yes

Key Messages used to Publicize the Initiative:

Communication to all employees focused on reinforcing and explaining the need and importance of overall efficiency and cost reduction, where applicable without impacting operational capacity.

Communication emphasized operational effectiveness and service to our communities through appropriate shift scheduling reflective of calls for service.

The messaging focused on financial efficiencies achieved by limiting and pooling vehicles for both operational and administrative use.

The messaging also reinforced the RCMP’s commitment to being fiscally and financially accountable to the public and to the provincial government within difficult fiscal environments.

Forms of Evaluation by which the Initiative will be Assessed:

  • internal
  • quantitative

Evaluation Completed or Community Feedback Received:

No

Summary of the Outcomes:

N/A

Summary of the Performance Measure Data Collected:

N/A

Economics of Policing Pillars:

Further Details:

N/A

Additional Comments or Suggestions:

With regard to consultations with unions and employees, this review involved extensive consultation with employees through face-to-face meetings and internal messaging to ensure that the shift scheduling changes would have no impact on officer/employee and public safety. It also involved a cooperative approach to finding efficiencies within the vehicle fleet. This collaborative approach resulted in cost savings and a more manageable number of fleet vehicles.

Record Entry Date:

2015-03-01

Date modified: