WEST SHORE RCMP BIANNUAL REPORT January-June 2019

• Jan 1 - June 30, 2019

Songhees Nation had a 13% increase (+35 files) in calls for service in the first six months of 2019 compared to the same 2018 period.

ESQUIMALT NATION

• Jan 1 - June 30, 2019

Esquimalt Nation had a 25% increase (+13 files) in calls for service in the first six months of 2019 compared to the same 2018 period.

PERCENTAGE OF CALLS BY MUNICIPALITY

% of Total Calls for Service per Municipality for 2018 and 2019

STREET CHECKS BY MUNICIPALITY

% of Street Checks per Municipality for 2018 and 2019

CALLS FOR SERVICE BY TIME BLOCK

Source: RCMP E Division Business Intelligence West Shore RCMP - January 1, 2019 to June 30, 2019

West Shore detachment schedules members on a “peak period” policing model based on the time day and urgency that calls for service are distributed. Through examination of the distribution of calls and GD SAC data the “peak period” for calls for service is between 0900-1800 hours with some variance by day of the week.

In January 2019, West Shore created an “E” watch general duty unit consisting of five Constables. “E” watch shifts are scheduled during peak periods throughout the week. An additional Corporal supervisor and Constable are working with “E” watch for the summer months. The general duty Watch Commander and Operations NCO directs all general duty resources including “E” watch based on priority. The additional “E” watch resources ensures West Shore RCMP has members available to respond to multiple priority calls during times of high call volume.

PRIORITY CALLS ATTENDED

PRIORITY DEFINITION

• P1 - Priority 1 – Requires urgent attention; potentially life threatening.
• P2 - Priority 2 – Requires immediate attention; serious, may not be life threatening.
• P3 - Priority 3 – Routine attention; no current threat to life or property.
• P4 - Priority 4 – Event must be documented; may or may not require police attendance.

The top three calls requiring a Priority 1 response included “Suicidal Person” (34%), “Domestic in Progress” (28%) and “Motor Vehicle Incident with Injury” (11%). The top three calls requiring a Priority 2 response were “Abandoned 911” (23%), “Assist Police/Fire/Ambulance” (19%) and “Impaired” (13%).

TOP 5 CALLS FOR SERVICE

Breaches represented the highest incidence of calls (9%) in the first 6 months of 2019 followed by Traffic Incidents (8%) and Assist Police/Fire/Ambulance (6%). Abandoned 911 & Property related calls tied at 5%.

TOP 5 TIME CONSUMING CALLS

Check Well Being is the most time consuming call type with 663+ hours spent attending to these types of calls in the first six months of 2019. Assist Police / Fire/Ambulance calls were the second most time consuming call type (627+ hours) followed by Suicidal Persons (559.30 hours), Domestic in Progress (513+ hours) and Abandoned 911 calls (387.08 hours).

JAN 1 – JUNE 30, 2019 CRIME MAP

Maps do not include files scored as information, prevention, assistance or unfounded files. Not all property crimes are included on the map as some property crimes do not have a geographic component (e.g. online fraud). The map also shows robbery offence locations.

CRIME MAP (CORE)

FRONT COUNTER & SWITCHBOARD ASSISTANCE

The West Shore Detachment receives a significant amount of calls, enquiries and files that are generated through our front counter and switchboard. The detachment currently has a member working the front counter to assist our administration staff in operational matters and improve service delivery to the community. The detachment switchboard receives a large number of phone calls each day which must be triaged and routed to our dispatch/call-taking center or to the appropriate section and member.

JAN 1 – JUNE 30, 2019 FRONT COUNTER CALLS

JAN 1 – JUNE 30, 2019 SWITCHBOARD CALLS

GUARD ROOM STATISTICS

Please find below a copy of the Guard Room Statistics. *Guard room statistics follow the yearly calendar.

JAN 1 - JUNE 30, 2019

ANNUAL PERFORMANCE PLAN (APP)

Each Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Detachment is mandated to prepare an annual performance plan that addresses identified “local policing priorities.” These “priorities” are set through consultation with elected officials and/or senior staff members. * The APP follows the RCMP fiscal year of April 1st to March 31st.

Listed below are the APP priorities for the 2018/2019 fiscal year:

1. Prevent and reduce the threat and impact of serious and organized crime.
2. Enhance road safety; speeding is the main focus.
3. Community engagement through programs of education and prevention.
4. Enhance relationships with Aboriginal/Indigenous Communities in our jurisdictional areas.
5. Reduce property crimes.
6. Reduce crimes against persons.

Further consultation was undertaken with the communities and it was decided that the priorities for the 2019/2020 fiscal year are:

1. Prevent and reduce the threat and impact of serious and organized crime.
2. Enhance road safety; distracted driving is the main focus.
3. Community engagement through programs of education and prevention; including restorative justice, business liaison and recruiting.
4. Enhance relationships with Aboriginal/Indigenous Communities in our jurisdictional areas.
5. Reduce property crimes.

2018/2019 ANNUAL PERFORMANCE PLAN UPDATES

Prevent and reduce the threat and impact of serious and organized crime.

In 2019, the West Shore RCMP received a presentation from the Gang Enforcement Unit crime analyst who updated the membership on the current status of Outlaw Motorcycle Groups (OMG’s) on Vancouver Island and throughout BC. This information was valuable as it identified key areas of focus for police officers.

Since January 2019, the Crime Reduction Unit have conducted seven Drug Trafficking investigations where charges have either been approved or are currently pending. In total, over $10000 worth of fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine were seized as a result of arrests and search warrants related to the above investigations. One of the investigations involved the dismantling of a “shatter lab” and required the assistance of the RCMP Clan Lab. Members of the unit have obtained approximately ten separate judicial authorizations including three residential Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) search warrants, two residential criminal code search warrants, four cell phone search warrants, a tracking warrant, and several unsealing order. Several of the authorizations written included information from confidential informants. Members of the team conducted a protracted Drug Under Cover Operation (UCO) as well as a minor UCO in relation to a property related offences.

A new Drug and Organized Crime Unit is being developed. The unit will consist of one Corporal and four Constables. The unit’s mandate is to investigate drug trafficking in the West Shore, as well as monitor and investigate gang activity. These investigations were previously tasked out to the Crime Reduction Unit. The goal in the creation of the new unit is to allow the Crime Reduction Unit to focus their investigations on prolific offenders and property crimes while the new unit takes on the drug investigations which is often time consuming highly specialized work. The two units will fall under the command of the Staff Sergeant in charge of the Serious Crimes Unit and will work closely together to gather and share critical information in order to move investigations forward.

Enhance Road Safety – Speeding.

The detachment’s municipal traffic section remains operational fulfilling its mandate to conduct targeted enforcement and investigate fatal collisions. The traffic unit performed several targeted enforcement campaigns targeting traffic offences hotspots in every community. During the first half of the year 873 violation tickets were issued, of that 359 violation tickets for speeding were issued.

The West Shore RCMP Traffic Unit focused on an identified hotspots throughout the West Shore area and conducts rotating motor vehicle enforcement. Identified hotspots include: Langford (VPM, and school zones), Colwood (Esquimalt Lagoon and Kelly Rd.), View Royal (Helmcken Rd. and Island Hwy.), Metchosin (Happy Valley Rd. and school zones), Highlands (Millstream Ave. and rural). The Media Relations Officer (MRO) has been working with the traffic unit to conduct a series of media releases providing updates on the campaigns and educating the public on the dangers of speeding and distracted driving.

Community Engagement Via Educational and Prevention Programs.

The Community Policing Section has filled it’s vacancies with two full time Constables and one Corporal. One member is assigned as the new Cannabis Liaison Officer. This position has been invaluable to both our detachment members and the public as a resource for the new laws regarding cannabis legalization. The Cannabis Liaison Officer has participated in many educational events including a presentation to teachers and parents at Royal Bay High School and for community groups.

This year the West Shore RCMP have experienced a large increase in the amount of calls for service involving chronic youth offenders aged 12 to 19. The calls for service vary in nature and have included causing disturbances, breaking and entering, theft, mischief to properties and assault. The West Shore RCMP have recognized this trend and created a strategic plan to address these crimes. In July 2019 the Community Policing Section hosted a town hall with parents/guardians, respective schools and community partners involved with the identified at-risk youth. The town hall provided an integrated approach and was well attended by 30 parents of at-risk youth.

Enhance Relationships with Aboriginal/Indigenous Communities.

The First Nation’s Community Policing (FNCP) officer organized and participated community policing events focusing on Indigenous youth. West Shore members participated in several hockey games where students faced off against police officers. The games were hosted by Shoreline Middle School and many students from the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations participated. The FNCP officer also organized the fundraiser and food drive “cram the canoe”. Esquimalt and Songhees Nations along with Thrifty Foods raised money and non-perishable food donations. Total donations were close to $2000, with all proceeds and food going to the Mustard Seed Food Bank.

The FNCP officer also liaised with the Legal Aid Society which recently implemented new changes that offer enhanced services to Indigenous or at-risk families who need legal representation. The FCNP officer ensured all watches and units were included in the information presentation educating officers on these new changes.

Reduce Property Crimes.

The West Shore RCMP Crime Analyst has been working with frontline members to identify chronic offenders and crime trends. Break and enters into businesses and theft of motor vehicles both saw an increase in the first half of 2019. This information has been distributed to all police officers in the West Shore allowing police to focus on areas where crime is being committed and chronic offenders. In cases where chronic offenders have been arrested and evidence to support charges are present, arrests are made and the investigations are being forwarded to Crown Counsel for charge approval.

The West Shore RCMP bike unit has been operational since July 2018 with one Corporal and three Constables on patrol. The unit has dedicated its resources to issues raised by the West Shore RCMP front line officers, Serious Crimes Unit, Crime Analyst and concerns brought forward from the community leaders. The unit targets chronic offenders by zeroing in on property crime offenders and emerging criminal patterns (i.e. increasing their patrols in areas where vehicle break-ins are predominant or areas where we have received numerous calls of disturbance or mischief). The unit has experienced enormous success. In its first year of operation they located 60 individuals wanted for outstanding warrants and 83 charges were forwarded to Crown Counsel for individuals arrested by the Bike Unit alone. In addition to this, the unit executed numerous search warrants for residences/buildings suspected of housing property crime offenders and made 190 contacts with local businesses in an effort to determine what the policing needs were.

Reduce Crimes Against Persons.

During this quarter, West Shore RCMP received 285 calls for service with respect to incidents involving family and/or intimate partner violence. This number does not include calls for service involving domestic disputes where no assault took place. These investigations are identified as a high risk for the RCMP and communities. From Jan 1st to June 30th of this year officers attended 151 calls for service involving non assaultive domestic disputes. This number is in addition to the 285 calls for service involving family violence.

The West Shore RCMP utilizes a police officer Domestic Violence Coordinator within the detachment to monitor all investigations that fell under the domestic violence reporting category. Supervisors work with the Domestic Violence Coordinator to ensure all provincial and organizational policies are followed. The media relations officer is also conducting a social media campaign highlighting violence in relationships. This campaign will focus on all violence, regardless of gender and will also encourage men to discuss being victims of domestic and sexual violence and where to seek resources. The campaign hopes to remove the stigma of men being reluctant to report violence by their partner.

HUMAN RESOURCES STATUS REPORT

The West Shore detachment area is a desirable location for members and employees to work and live. The detachment offers a variety of opportunities, excellent working conditions and we are well supported by the communities we serve. As indicated earlier in this report, the overall calls for service (CFS) has increased placing pressure on policing resources. With strong population growth this trend is expected to continue and additional police officers and support staff resources are required to meet the policing needs of the West Shore community.

Currently the detachment has two recruits nearing the end of their recruit field-training. The detachment is expecting two additional recruits to join the West Shore before the end of the year. All newly engaged RCMP members are partnered up with an experienced member “field trainer” for the first four to six months of their general duty recruit field training. The goal is that by the six-month period after graduation from RCMP Depot members will meet all required competencies to fulfill the requirements of a general duty police officer.

The detachment has two new part-time municipal employee Prime File Reviewers working with plans for a third position. The Prime File Reviewers all have an extensive policing background. These positions assist in documenting files and administrative tasks that do not require police attendance. In the past these (non-attendance) files were documented by front line officers. Prime File Reviewers free up valuable time for front line officers to dedicate to on-going investigations or proactive policing.

WORK PLACE WELLNESS

The RCMP has made the mental and physical health of its members and employees a high priority. As the West Shore area continues in its population and development growth, there have been an increasing number of critical incident calls. Members and employees attending and investigating these incidents can experience a high degree of stress and trauma. The RCMP has mental health resources including Peer to Peer, Employee Assistance Program, RCMP Psychologist and referrals to personal and family counselling services. Supervisors are engaged on a regular basis with members and staff to promote work place wellness. Employees are encouraged to maintain physical health through detachment fitness facilities and maintaining active lifestyles in the community.

Respectfully submitted.

Staff Sergeant Raj Sandhu for Inspector Todd Preston Detachment Commander West Shore RCMP