Online (Internet) Reporting (Details)

Name of province/ territory:

Ontario

City/ Region:

York

Description of Initiative:

The online (Internet) reporting system allows citizens to make reports online for certain minor offences, non-emergency offences and/or where there are no known suspects. The system can operate in multiple languages. Types of incidents included are Damage to Vehicle, Identify Theft, Lost Property, Theft Under $10,000, Theft from Vehicle, Mischief/Damage to Property, Gas Theft and Loitering.

A customer service option to request clearance letters will also be available online. Citizens can fill out the request form and pay online, and then pick up the clearance letter at a police station.

Initiative Key Objectives:

The initiative has several objectives:

  • use police resources efficiently;
  • provide enhanced accessibility/convenience to the public (people do not need to visit a police station or wait for an officer to come to take a report); and
  • offer enhanced customer service by providing a timely alternative response (ability to submit a police report immediately) and the ability to report in multiple (five) languages (no interpreter required).

Section Responsible for Implementation:

Information Management and Information Technology (IT)

Key Contact:

Ron Huber
5390@yrp.ca

Groups/ Agencies/ Key Partners Involved:

  • other: Versaterm and CopLogic (software suppliers)

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

Direct Involvement (Vendor)

Amount of Time Initiative has been in Place:

This initiative has been in place since 2008.

Reason for Undertaking the Initiative:

It was undertaken as a result of concerns regarding efficient use of police services and provision of timely, convenient customer service.

Resources Required to Implement this Initiative:

FTE hours for IT staff and working groups
CopLogic software (US$40,400 + tax (2007))
Yearly maintenance fees
Potential cost for training sessions

Method of Implementation:

The most frequent occurrences were phased in first. Road Watch complaints and Bike Registration were included in the second phase. Gas Theft and the Safe and Secure Gun Program were added in the third phase.

Key Outcomes of the Initiative:

  • Online (Internet) reporting provides enhanced customer service and convenience.
  • The system makes more efficient use of police resources.
  • Current CopLogic customers are receiving more than 25% of all their reports online without having to dispatch an officer, while still collecting all the information normally gathered by a patrol unit.
  • Labour costs are reduced by not needing an officer to take a report in person. This keeps officers on the street and increases their availability.
  • The estimated cost savings to York Regional Police since inception (June 3, 2008 – November 19, 2013) is over $2.1 million (based on a total of over 39,000 reports filed online).

Availability of a Communication Strategy:

Yes

Key Messages used to Publicize the Initiative:

Messaging to citizens focuses on service enhancements; ease of use; lack of wait time; and the convenience of reporting crime from their homes or other locations (such their offices). Messaging aimed at educating citizens on the service is related to the type of incident that can be reported online versus the type that should be called in.

Forms of Evaluation by which the Initiative will be Assessed:

  • quantitative
  • qualitative
  • other: internal/informal review of quantity/volume of reports
  • internal

Evaluation Completed or Community Feedback Received:

No

Summary of the Outcomes:

Positive feedback—there is a mechanism online where citizens can provide feedback.

Summary of the Performance Measure Data Collected:

The estimated cost savings to York Regional Police since the initiative's inception (June 3, 2008 – Nov 19, 2013) is over $2.1 million (based on a total of over 39,000 reports filed online).

Economics of Policing Pillars:

Further Details:

N/A

Additional Comments or Suggestions:

N/A

Record Entry Date:

2013-08-01

Date modified: