Strategic Plan Review

The DRPS Strategic Plan is a guiding document that outlines the priorities of the community and the Service. It sets out objectives and actionable measurement goals, as well as forms the basis for subsequent community safety plans in each of the five divisions.

With the Strategic Plan in its second year, there were a number of important achievements in 2021. It is important to note that each of these three goals guide the delivery of Services to the people of Durham Region every day.

Goal

Deliver services and programs that inspire the trust of all communities

Improve reported levels of satisfaction across the communities we serve

Identify, prioritize and strengthen partnerships to support equity-seeking groups in the community

Increase community participation in crime prevention by providing relevant and timely crime and safety information

Attract a skilled workforce that reflects the diversity of the community

Enhance police visibility to instil community confidence and reduce fear of crime

Highlights

Body-Worn Cameras Project

On Thursday, September 16, 2021, DRPS began a phased deployment of Body-Worn Cameras (BWCs). The rollout follows a year-long pilot project to determine the value of BWCs to the DRPS, our partners and the community regarding evidence collection, trust, transparency, accountability and service effectiveness. For more, visit www.drps.ca/BWC

Diversity Advisory Committee (DAC)

Established to deal with challenges that impact the diverse communities of Durham Region, DAC is made up of appointed citizens who sit as a consultative and advisory body to the Office of the Chief of Police. The committee met 10 times during the year and also participated in recruit interviews, and the review of policies, procedures and directives. For more on DAC, visit www.drps.ca/DAC

Enhanced Communication with the Public

In 2021, the Service revamped its approach for reaching the public with timely and relevant information. More than 2,400 public statements were issued, which was a 73% increase from 2020. This increase is partly due to an increase in social media campaigns aimed at crime prevention and public education.

Goal

Provide efficient and effective evidence-based policing services

Improve road safety by focusing enforcement on the most dangerous driving behaviours

Prevent, investigate and solve criminal activity using intelligence, partnerships and data analysis

Prevent re-offending

Maintain cost-effective service through innovation and continuous improvement

Highlights

Durham Vision Zero

This strategic road safety action plan is a partnership between the Region of Durham and DRPS. The plan aims to create safer roads for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. To view the plan, visit https://www.durham.ca/en/living-here/vision-zero.aspx

Four-Point Plan

Introduced in 2019, the Four-Point Plan to Address Systemic Barriers was introduced by the Service. A key achievement in 2021 was the release of race-based data for use of force interactions. This aligned with the first of the four points of the plan: race-based data collection and analysis. For more on the Four-Point Plan, visit www.drps.ca/fourpoint

Crime Analysis

The Crime Analysis Unit provides ongoing, crucial analyses that contribute to building a safer community. This is done through mapping and analyzing crime, and identifying and monitoring priority crime patterns and emerging trends. In 2021, the Service increased its focus on identifying and responding to crime in hotspots, assisted with 38 major project investigations and identified 12 significant regional crime trends that were then communicated to members for follow-up.

Goal

Foster a positive organizational culture

Support the physical and mental health and general well-being of members

Ensure a respectful, bias-free and inclusive workplace

Identify and resolve the barriers to effective internal communication

Improve the transparency and clarity of member evaluation and development processes

Highlights

Mental Health Investments

The Service has a number of remarkable programs to promote the mental well-being of its members.

DRPSupport App, which provides access to resources
Unlimited mental health benefits
Road to Mental Readiness Training
Mental Health Awareness Program for New Recruits
Critical incident stress support and peer support teams

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