Frontline Policing

Background

• Contracts that stipulated the RCMP take over provincial policing began with an agreement with Saskatchewan on June 1, 1928.
• Similar agreements were later reached with the provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, British Columbia and Newfoundland.
• The first municipal contract that required consultation between three levels of government was signed with Flin Flon, Manitoba, on April 1, 1935.
• The RCMP provides cost-shared policing services to all provinces and territories, except Ontario and Quebec, and to 198 municipalities in the Atlantic, Prairie and Pacific regions.

Organization

• Basic operational unit of the force.
• Systems and procedures standardized across the country.
• Supplemented by a number of satellite and community service officers.
• Many provincial detachments are combined with municipal ones, saving money and increasing efficiency.
• Detachment personnel perform virtually all the functions involved in delivering police services at 652 locations across Canada.

Resources

• Access to specialized support units (identification, forensic lab, police dog, dive teams, etc.)
• 28 Emergency Response Teams strategically placed around the country, available to respond to hostage-taking or other emergency situations.
• Partnerships with social service organizations that offer assistance in family or youth counselling, alcohol or drug abuse and community crime prevention programs.

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Officers

• Majority of new RCMP regular members go directly to detachment duties and serve three to five years in general policing before moving on to specialized fields.
• Many enforce statutes from three levels of government and must be acquainted with municipal by-laws, provincial acts and federal statutes.
• Must also be aware of the specific problems or features of the community as the public's most frequent and personal connection with the RCMP.
• Encouraged to participate in police/community programs (i.e. community service clubs, sports activities, guiding/scouting movements, etc.).
• Perform virtually all the functions involved in delivering police services at 652 locations across Canada.
• Versatility is key as duties often involve demands and considerations other than enforcement and investigation.

Investigations

• Officers use their knowledge of the law to determine which statute has been violated and the legal requirements to prosecute the case.
• When an investigation begins, the officer gathers evidence to identify one or more suspects.
• Once identified, the officer sees that the suspect is charged and brought before court.
• The officer must then provide and present evidence in a clear, concise and complete manner.