Citizen Online Reporting (Details)

Name of province/ territory:

Manitoba

City/ Region:

Winnipeg

Description of Initiative:

Citizen Online Reporting allows for criminal offences to be reported online. Basic personal and contact information is required as well as particulars such as approximate date, time and location of offence. Details of personal property such as serial numbers and appropriate value may also be required. There is an opportunity for the complainant to review and modify the report prior to completion. Once the report is submitted, the complainant will be assigned a temporary tracking number and can print an unofficial copy of the report. All online reports are reviewed within three business days. Upon approval, the complainant will be sent an e-mail notification along with a permanent occurrence number and a PDF copy of the official report. If additional information is required, the complainant may be contacted by an officer. Once approved, the report is transferred into the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) records management system. The report will receive the same investigation and statistical analysis as if the report had been filed over the telephone or in person. The information submitted via the online reporting system is sent to the Central Reading Unit (staffed by sworn members of the police service).

Initiative Key Objectives:

Enhanced citizen reporting process and internal efficiencies.

Section Responsible for Implementation:

Strategic Initiatives Unit

Key Contact:

Winnipeg Police Service / Service de police de Winnipeg

Groups/ Agencies/ Key Partners Involved:

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

Information sharing.

Amount of Time Initiative has been in Place:

N/A

Reason for Undertaking the Initiative:

This initiative was undertaken in order to:

  • improve efficiencies on front lines; and
  • reduce hours spent on low-priority incidents requiring no investigation.

Resources Required to Implement this Initiative:

Expected benefits outweigh the considerable cost to undertake this initiative. Costs incurred were those associated with the purchase of the Coplogic software.

Method of Implementation:

A strong public education campaign will roll out in advance of its implementation.

Key Outcomes of the Initiative:

Unknown at this time.

Availability of a Communication Strategy:

Yes

Key Messages used to Publicize the Initiative:

A new convenient alternative for citizens to communicate with the police service.

Forms of Evaluation by which the Initiative will be Assessed:

  • summative
  • internal
  • user surveys

Evaluation Completed or Community Feedback Received:

No

Summary of the Outcomes:

An evaluation is planned.

Summary of the Performance Measure Data Collected:

N/A

Economics of Policing Pillars:

Further Details:

This initiative aims to reduce the amount of time officers and frontline members (call takers) spend on non-violent/low-priority incidents. Resources saved by using this technology will enhance police capacity to re-deploy resources into higher-priority areas.

Additional Comments or Suggestions:

Numerous police agencies across Canada and the US have adopted online reporting.

Record Entry Date:

2013-08-01

Date modified: