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Police Services Review Public Consultation Results

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Police Services Review Public Consultation Results City of Report to Committee Richmond To: General Purposes Committee Date: April 8, 2016 From: Mark Corrado File: 09-5350-01 /2016-Vol Senior Manager, Community Safety, Policy and 01 Programs Re: Police Services Review Public Consultation Results Staff Recommendation That the report titled "Police Services Review Public Consultation Results," dated April 8, 2016, from the Senior Manager, Corporate Communications and the Senior Manager, Community Safety Policy and Programs be received for information. ~" Ted Townsend Mark Corrado Senior Manager, Corporate Communications Senior Manager, Community Safety Policy (604-276-4399) and Programs (604-276-4273) Att. 1 REPORT CONCURRENCE ANAGER REVIEWED BY STAFF REPORT I INITIALS: AGENDA REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE 4965009_v7 GP - 2 (Special) April 8, 2016 - 2 - Staff Report Origin In May 2015, as part of the ongoing review of police services, Council directed that the preliminary outcomes of the community consultation be presented to Council. This report responds to Council' s direction. On November 26, 2015, the City released a report, on its LetsTalkRichmond.ca website, on police services and announced that a formal public consultation process would begin in early 2016. The firm of FleishmanHillard, with assistance from the Mustel Research Group, was hired to assist in the consultation process and conduct public surveying and polling. This report provides Council with FleishmanHillard's key findings as outlined in their final report [Attachment 1] . This report supports Council's Term Goal2014-2018 #1 -A Safe Community: Maintain emphasis on community safety to ensure Richmond continues to be a safe community. 1.1. Policy and service models that reflect Richmond-specific needs. Analysis Results Based on a quantitative analysis of the combined LetsTalkRichmond.ca survey and the Mustel polling results as well as the qualitative feedback derived from online, in-person (meetings/open houses) or written commentary, FleishmanHillard stated the following: "Ultimately, many residents and stakeholders agree that the creation ofa local, independent police force seems like a good idea and would reflect Richmond's community values, needs and priorities. However, when taking into account the costs of establishing a new police force (both proposed transition cost and the additional funds required annually to support a new local police), residents were not convinced that there was enough cause for change, given that the RCMP is seen, by a majority ofthose expressing an opinion, to be providing a reasonably and acceptably high standard ofservice to the community. " Despite differences in methodology the LetsTalkRichmond.ca survey and the Mustel poll demonstrated consistent findings among those who identified a preference for a specific police service model. Based on the findings of the consultant, amongst decided respondents, both the survey and poll showed a majority preference for the RCMP over the independent police model. However, FleishmanHillard noted that there were significant differences in the number of undecided respondents between the LetsTalkRichmond.ca survey (6% undecided) and the Mustel Poll (34% undecided). 4965009_v7 GP - 3 (Special) April 8, 2016 - 3 - FleishmanHillard's comprehensive report, including graphical and detailed results of survey/poll questions as well as emerging themes from the qualitative commentary, can be found in Attachment 1. Options for outcomes on the public consultation process Should Council decide to receive this staff report for information, the following options could be considered: a) that the public consultation process with regard to the ongoing policing review be considered completed; b) that additional public consultation occur and a further report would be required. Next steps subsequent to the public consultation Should Council decide to maintain the RCMP police model, it is recommended that staff work with the local Detachment, as well as various government partners at the local, provincial, and federal levels, to further enhance the existing police services both in the City and the Lower Mainland. The City would continue to play a role in the development of a governance model for the RCMP's Lower Mainland Integrated Teams through various mayoral forums and groups such as the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM). Through the Local Government Contract Management Committee (LGCMC) and UBCM, the City continues to strive to improve the existing governance structure of the Municipal Police Unit Agreement (MPUA). The City has proposed a series of enhancements to the MPUA under the ongoing Five Year Contract review led by LGCMC and the national Contract Management Committee. Should Council decide to implement an independent police service model, it is recommended that staff report back on the scope of required resources to prepare an implementation plan. The BC Director of Police Services has advised that a detailed written proposal, including a transition plan, will be submitted to the Minister for approval prior to the official notification of termination of the MPUA. Financial Impact None Conclusion The consultation process and results outlined in FleishmanHillard's report supplements Council's review of police services. FleishmanHillard' s report provides Council with a 4965009_v7 GP - 4A (Special) April 8, 2016 - 4 - representative sample of the public's views on both the existing RCMP police model and an independent Richmond policing model. Staff will require direction from Council as to any future steps to be taken with regard to the police review process. ~ Ted Townsend Mark Corrado Senior Manager, Corporate Communications Senior Manager, Community Safety Policy (604-276-4399) and Programs (604-276-4273) TT:mc Att. 1: City of Richmond Policing Services Review Public Consultation Report 4965009_v7 GP - 4B (Special) City of Richmond || Policing Services Review || Public Consultation Report March 18, 2016 GP - 5 (Special) Contents Executive Summary 1 Overview of Consultation Activities and Engagement 6 Promotion of Public Consultation 9 SURVEY KEY FINDINGS 10 Public Opinion Poll 10 LetsTalkRichmond.ca 13 Appendices A - Survey Questionnaire & Discussion Guide 18 B - Mustel Group Market Research Public Opinion Survey – Polling Results 25 C - Letters and Other Written Submissions 42 D - Open House Summaries 69 E - Media Coverage and Social Media Commentary * * See separate document GP - 6 (Special) Executive Summary As Richmond grows and plans for the future, Richmond City Council is looking Consultation activities were undertaken with the goal of obtaining as much to determine the best approach to ensuring police services meet local needs participation as possible from the general public (reflecting the diverse and priorities, and that Richmond continues to be a safe place to live, work community) as well as key stakeholders such as the business community and and visit. Council identified two options for the delivery of police services in partner organizations or agencies with an interest in policing. The consultation Richmond: was promoted as follows: • Continuation with the current service provided by the RCMP, or • Online, from January 19th – February 29th, 2016, using the • Establishing an independent Richmond police force. LetsTalkRichmond.ca website as a platform for the general public and stakeholders to submit their opinions (1,000+ responses); FleishmanHillard was engaged by the City in July 2015 through a Request for Expressions of Interest, to develop and assist in the implementation • Five public open houses (200+ attendees); of a public consultation program to support the police services review. • Telephone/online polling by Mustel Group Research (600+ sample size); FleishmanHillard worked in collaboration with City of Richmond staff to: • Drop-in open house (Minoru Place Seniors Centre); • Develop a Community Engagement and Consultation Plan; • Stakeholder meetings inviting participation in the consultation; • Develop public consultation materials and tools to support the • Stakeholder letters inviting participation in the consultation (approximately Consultation Plan; 40 sent); and • Support City staff in organizing public open houses and stakeholder • Promotion of the consultation process through media relations, social meetings; and media, the City of Richmond website, print advertising, and other means. • Prepare a Consultation summary report following the completion of A discussion guide summarizing key aspects of the police services review community engagement activities. and a questionnaire formed the basis for both the Mustel poll and the The focus of the public consultation program was to provide information LetsTalkRichmond.ca consultation module. about the City’s reasons for considering a new policing model and provide opportunity for public feedback to Council on the possible transition to an independent police service before a final decision is made. GP - 7 (Special) City of Richmond | Policing Services Review | Public Consultation Report 1 KEY FINDINGS Public interest in the police services review was fairly significant, with a Preferred Policing Model total of 2,800 visitors to the LetsTalkRichmond.ca webpage resulting in 587 completed surveys. In addition, 417 surveys were submitted in writing and are included in the findings as part of the LetsTalkRichmond.ca results. The majority of residents and stakeholders surveyed as part of the consultation are supportive of maintaining the current model for policing services
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