City of Red Deer considering future with RCMP.. Police Review on Tuesday

From The City of Red Deer

City Council to discuss Police Review on Tuesday

City Council will discuss the Police Review at a Special Council Meeting on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 beginning at 9:30 a.m.

In November 2018, City Council directed Administration to undertake an independent review of policing services in Red Deer. The review is comprised of two parts, a Governance Review that identifies the opportunities and challenges with various policing operating models, as well as a Service Review with recommendations on enhancing services with the existing RCMP contract.

“The Police Review provides a comprehensive and independent look at delivery options for policing services in Red Deer,” said Paul Goranson, Director of Protective Services. “The report does not make a recommendation on a preferred model but identifies opportunities and challenges with either option.”

As part of the Service Review, Red Deer was compared to other cities with either RCMP contracts or their own municipal police service. The report shows that the cost of policing in Red Deer is comparable to other similar sized cities, while the Red Deer detachment has higher caseloads per full time equivalent employee.

“The Service Review makes eight recommendations to enhance services currently provided, however further study is required before implementation,” said Goranson.

The budget for the Police Review was approved at $200,000.

For more information, review the following Q & A.

Police Review: Service Review and Governance Review

In November 2018, City Council directed Administration to undertake an independent review of policing services for Red Deer. The review comprises of two parts, a Governance Review that identifies the opportunities and challenges with various policing operating models, as well as a macro Service Review with service recommendations for the existing model with the RCMP contract.

Governance Review:

What policing operating models were evaluated as part of the Governance Review?The review looks at police governance options highlighting the opportunities and challenges with the existing RCMP contract and a Municipal Police Service.
At the onset of the review, additional governance options were considered. These included a hybrid model and a regionally-shared police service, however both were removed as standalone options in June 2019. The regionally-shared police service was considered a future expansion of a Municipal Police Service, and the hybrid option was not materially different than the contract with the RCMP or a Municipal Police Service.

Both the RCMP contract and the Municipal Police Service offer opportunities for hybrid policing through tiered policing and obtaining other specialized services from other police services.
How were the models evaluated under the Governance Review?City Council identified three categories to be considered for evaluation: governance and oversight, operating and capital costs, and operations management. Each model (both the contract with RCMP and the Municipal Police Service) were evaluated with this criteria.
Does the Governance Review make a recommendation in favour of one model?No, the Governance Review does not recommend one model over another. The report identifies challenges and opportunities with both models.
For example, under governance and oversight, the report indicates that The City of Red Deer, through a police commission could have greater local control over operational priorities with a Municipal Police Service. However, under the RCMP model, The City has significantly less risk and liability.

For operating and capital costs, The City, with the RCMP model, currently receives a 10 per cent federal subsidy. If a Municipal Police Service was established, the subsidy would be eliminated and there would be one time transition costs as well as a higher ongoing operating cost.

Under operations management, the RCMP model allows for access to specialized units, training and additional resources. With a Municipal Police Service, these services would be provided internally or through agreements with other police services.

4. What are the cost differences between the two policing models?

The RCMP operating costs are projected to be $43,755,000 in 2023. A Municipal Police Service operating costs are projected to be $50,899,000 with transition costs projected at approximately $13,583,000. These numbers are estimates only and could change based on a variety of factors.

Service Review:

How does Red Deer compare to other detachments?The cost of policing in Red Deer is comparable to other similar sized cities, however the Red Deer detachment has higher caseloads per full time equivalent employee. Red Deer budgets for 171 RCMP members, which are complemented by approximately 100 City employees with duties that range from traffic and bylaw enforcement, public services, policing support, records management, dispatching calls, and crime analytics.
A customer satisfaction survey was included as part of the Service Review, what were the results?In spring 2019, customers who either visited the detachment in person or called the police non- emergency line were asked to participate in a short survey about their satisfaction. Participants were asking for services, such as criminal record checks, police certificate or to report a crime. Overall, 92 per cent of respondents indicated that they were either satisfied or very satisfied with the services received.
What recommendations were made as part of the Service Review?The consultant identified the following opportunities to consider as ways to enhance services provided under the RCMP contract:
-  Expansion of a tiered policing model to manage labour and associated personnel costs
-  Alternative service delivery for police checks and collision reporting
-  Use of technologies to increase the efficiency of officers
-  Achieve full complement of planned officers or reallocate funding to other policing priorities
-  Greater use of community policing and investment in prevention
-  Expanded use of intelligence led policing
-  Establishment of service level standards
-  Monitoring and reporting of service level performance to counter perceptions and drive improvements

Further study is required prior to implementation of some of the above opportunities.

Related Topics:City of Red Deer feature Red Deer RCMP

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City Council looking for options to reduce hundreds of encampments

Published on September 14, 2024

City of Red Deer

New actions for response to urban encampments being considered by City Council

New actions for The City’s response to urban encampments will be considered by Council on Monday, with a focus on interim and long-term solutions to homelessness. The proposed actions include everything from maintaining a balanced mitigation strategy to exploring interim housing solutions.

The report comes in response to Councillor Lee’s Notice of Motion re: Urban Encampment Responses that Council approved during the 2024 budget debate. The report reviews the past five years of data, analyzes service levels, and evaluates Corporate Administrative Policy 3141C – Urban Encampment Response. The key recommendations in the report focus on providing a balanced approach to mitigating the effects of encampments while working towards long-term solutions for homelessness. These recommendations include:

Consistent Mitigation: Maintain The City’s current approach to encampment responses, ensuring the most balanced mitigation strategy available at this time to protect public lands while supporting vulnerable individuals.
Advocacy for Shelter Strategy: Council will continue to advocate to the Government of Alberta for a comprehensive shelter strategy, including the development of a low-barrier 24/7 emergency shelter with a Recovery-Oriented System of Care.
Review of Transitional Housing: Request that the Housing and Homelessness Integrated Committee (HHIC) review the potential for new transitional housing infrastructure as an interim solution to support individuals transitioning out of homelessness.

“The City’s current policy is still achieving its target of having sites cleaned within 14 days. Despite a substantial increase in encampments, responses have continued to be increasingly efficient, largely due to enhanced relationships and experience levels,” said Jodi Kelloway, Acting Superintendent, Social Wellness and Integration Supports. “In recent months, we have seen a significant rise in the number of people experiencing homelessness, with shelters operating at or near capacity. Many individuals living in encampments have limited or no alternative options available. It is important that we continue to improve our response while building capacity within the housing continuum that considers current realities and the unique needs of community members who are unsheltered. The actions we propose in today’s report are about building and expanding on what we already do.”

Under the current policy, The City has a level of service that urban encampments, debris, and belongings are to be removed within 14 days of an initial report, 90 per cent of the time. While The City’s current response to urban encampments is effective, with 98 per cent of camps being cleaned up within 14 days, the number of encampments continues to rise. In 2023 alone, 881 encampments were dismantled, with a projected overall increase of 75 per cent by the end of 2024.

Costs related to encampment clean-up have reached approximately $2.87 million over the last five years, shared among several City departments, including Parks, Public Works, and Emergency Services. Despite increased efficiency, the growing number of encampments presents ongoing challenges and concerns.

The City’s Encampment Assertive Outreach team continues to engage individuals living in encampments, providing referrals to social and housing services. However, the report notes that many individuals face barriers to accessing shelter due to personal circumstances, such as the need for privacy, the ability to be with their partners, accommodation for pets or possessions, highlighting the ongoing need for tailored solutions.

Councillor Lee’s January 8, 2024, Notice of Motion called for administration to consider the following:

Reducing the time to dismantle encampments.
Preventing establishment of encampments.
Connecting rough sleepers with social supports and understanding overall community shelter capacity.
Develop recommendations for individuals setting up or using encampments to encourage them to seek alternative shelter.
How much money The City has spent on the cleanup of encampments over the past five years, and how much subsidy, if any, has been provided by other levels of government.
Including the continuum of housing that is currently available in Red Deer and what is needed.
That Administration report to council on the progress of the review of Corporate Administrative Policy 3141C – Urban Encampment Response”.

“The City of Red Deer is committed to supporting the health and safety of those sleeping rough, citizens who are enjoying parks, trails and public spaces, and staff responding to encampments,” said City Manager Tara Lodewyk. “Unfortunately, urban encampment work is a very short-term solution to a very complex health, housing, and public safety need in our community. The ability to reduce homelessness in Red Deer is significantly impacted by the lack of affordable and supportive housing supply. Until this is resolved, we will continue in this cycle of clean up.”

More detailed information is available in the City Council report located on the Council Meetings and Schedule page.

City of Red Deer

Kinsmen Community Arenas closed until mid-November

Published on August 7, 2024

City of Red Deer

From City Council, Tuesday, August 6

Kinsmen Community Arenas funding request (decision)

Council has approved the $350,000 budget request to replace the chiller at the Kinsmen Community Arenas; this will be funded through the Capital Projects Reserve. Administration will order the part, which is expected to arrive in 14 weeks, then the contractor will take two weeks to install, then staff will install ice, taking an additional ten days. If there are no delays or issues, the arenas are anticipated to open mid-November at the earliest.
Administration is working to revise rental permitting that has been previously shared with sport groups –the majority of rental permits will need to be revised with a proportionate reduction in ice access across all community rental groups. Revised permits are anticipated to be back to Sport Partners by August 30.
The chiller is the main piece of equipment that allows ice to be made at the twin arenas. It cools brine water and provides cooling. The brine water’s chemical properties keep it from freezing. To freeze the rink surface, the system pumps chilled brine water through the pipes and then into the ice-bearing concrete slab.