NCJ Number
10011
Date Published
1971
Length
200 pages
Annotation
EARLIER ATTEMPTS BY THE ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE TO INSTITUTE CONSOLIDATED RURAL POLICING, AND PROPOSED APPROACH TO CONSOLIDATE POLICE SERVICES.
Abstract
RURAL POLICING IN THE PROVINCES HAS TYPICALLY BEEN PERFORMED BY MANY SMALL (UP TO FIVE MEN) UNITS OPERATING WITHIN SMALL GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS. POLICE SERVICE HAS BEEN IN RESPONSE TO CALLS WITH OCCASIONAL PATROL BASIS, IN WHICH THE WORK OF THE CONSTABLES IS LARGELY OFFICE ORIENTED. AN ATTEMPT TO CENTRALIZE OFFICES, WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR LARGER TERRITORIES, WAS MADE IN 1966 AND REFERRED TO AS THE 'HUB CONCEPT'. CHIEF OPPOSITION TO THE PLAN WAS PUBLIC OPINION WHICH COMPLAINED OF 'REMOVAL' OF POLICE PRESENCE AND LOSS OF POLICE-PUBLIC CONTACT. PREVENTION ORIENTED POLICING SERVICE (POPS) HAS BEEN DEVELOPED AS A CONSOLIDATION MEASURE WHICH ADDRESSES THE PROBLEMS FOUND IN THE HUB CONCEPT. POPS SEEKS TO IMPROVE THE DISTRIBUTION OF POLICE RESOURCES IN RURAL AREAS WHILE CONDUCTING PREVENTIVE PATROL. IT IS BASED ON FOUR KEY FEATURES - SCIENTIFIC MANPOWER ALLOCATION, 24-HOUR REGULAR PATROL, FORMALIZED POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS EFFORTS, AND CONSOLIDATION (LARGER UNITS SERVICING LARGER AREAS). A FIELD TEST SHOWED POPS TO BE SUCCESSFUL. PERSONNEL AND TRAINING IMPLICATIONS ARE DISCUSSED.