It is my pleasure to report to District of Invermere Mayor and Council the fourth quarter of 2012.  This will also provide you with a yearend review for 2012.

Detachment status:

When at full strength, Columbia Valley Detachment consists of the following members:

1 S/Sgt Detachment Commander

2 Cpl Supervisors

8 Csts Provincial strength.

The detachment has the support of three public servants.

At present time the detachment is at full strength. We have two new members who recently graduated from Depot. One member will have completed his field training by the end of February while the second officer will complete her field training at the end of April. Just in time for our normal steady summer.

The detachment continues to be supported by numerous volunteers in the community.

The total calls for service for the detachment for 2012 was 3,252 compared to 2,136 recorded for 2011.  Again, I remind you that due to a failure to capture approximately 1,000 calls for service not captured via the computer last year, this should not be interpreted as a drastic rise in calls for service. I am convinced that the calls for service are in the area of just over 3,000 last year.

Detachment calls for service for the District of Invermere are as follows:

2012 – 773 calls for service

2011 – 611 calls for service.

Detachment Priorities

The detachment priorities for 2012/2013 were:

1) Drug and Alcohol Abuse- Education/Enforcement;

2) Visibility;

3) Traffic safety was a priority that was identified by South East District and “E” Division.

As you are aware I met with a number of community leaders at the college recently. It was determined from this meeting that given the success we had with our priorities in 2012 and that they remain to be an identified issues, those three priorities will remain.

These priorities will continue to be tackled by the detachment.  However, it was decided at this meeting that each community that we serve in the valley has specific issues they would like the police to deal with. I requested that each area that the representatives served, identify one main issue that we at the detachment can include in our priorities.

Invermere identified that they would like the police to pay particular attention to Kinsmen beach as there has been complaints of alcohol and drug use. We want to keep this area family friendly.

Radium identified that they have been getting complaints since the mill opened of traffic speeds going to and from the mill.

Electoral Areas F and G identified that they wish to see more visibility and patrols.

I thank those that were able to attend and assist in identifying the community priorities.

It is important for mayor and council as well as the citizens in the community that the feedback that I am seeking is something I keep in mind when I attend all my meetings throughout the year.  However, from Jan to the end of February I make a point of inviting myself to many community meetings to report on the year and seek input for the next year.

Seasonal policing

The detachment continues to receive extra funding for Seasonal policing patrols for the summer and winter.  This winter the detachment has $2,500 that will go for winter patrols. This allows officers on their day off to conduct patrols. This assists us with our priority of being visible in the community.

Visibility in the Community

Along with our attempts to get out of the office and away from our computers to remain visible in the community while working the detachment members continue to be involved with the community outside of the office.  We will continue to be proactive in the community.  Our members are involved in Minor Hockey, Jr. Hockey, cadets as well as being involved with the volunteer fire department.

2012 priorities update

When providing my reports to mayor and council it is important to note that the RCMP fiscal year of reporting is from Apr 01 to March 31. Mayor and council however wish to be kept up to date on how things went for the year, Jan-Dec. I will bring you up to date as of the end of December. However, when I report on our goals, initiatives and results to date, I still have the final quarter to report to the RCMP which includes 2013 Jan-March.

1) Drug and Alcohol Abuse Enforcement and Education.

Initiatives and goals

a) Prolific Offender program. Goal was to forward 10 charges that target our prolific offenders. To date we have charged 24.

b) Bridging the gap with the junior members. As a result of a number of courses provided to the officers along with their further service and experience we have seen a number of successes in quality charges resulting from search warrants.

c) DARE program. Two classes were completed last school year. Both Cst Sheppard and Doiron will continue with the DARE program.

d) Education sessions. Our goal is 15 sessions throughout the valley. At present time four have been completed.

2) Visibility in the community

Initiatives and goals

a) Maintain Client Satisfaction admin file and maintain meetings throughout the Valley.

Goal is to attend approx 90 meetings. At the end of the third quarter we documented 63 meetings.

b) Seasonal Policing: The funding for seasonal policing patrols resulted in all funds being expended. Numerous patrols were made that allowed for extra visibility; many in areas where the police would not be normally seen. Good positive feedback received from the citizens encountered Detachment Open house: This has been done during the month of May and will hopefully be accomplished this year with the assistance of the numerous partners in the community.

c) Detachment Open house: This has been done during the month of May and will hopefully be accomplished this year with the assistance of the numerous partners in the community.

d) Media: The use of the media allows this writer the ability to keep in contact with many citizens in the community who I don’t meet.  Along with the crime data provided it allows me an opportunity to let the citizens in the community up to date on our activities within the community. Some we get cheers, some we get jeers.

e) Communication Plan: Every year this plan is tweaked and sent to South East District.

f) Most important is that the community sees the Members out and about in the community in and out of uniform supporting many of the community organizers.  The members are involved in volunteer work in the valley.  I encourage the members to participate in community events.

3) Traffic Safety/Enforcement

Initiative and goals

a) Increase our impaired driving enforcement.  Our goal is 50. At present time we are at 24.

With new members at the detachment, further training is required to in my opinion do a better job when it comes to impaired driving enforcement. This includes working with our Traffic Service Members.

b) Traffic enforcement: At present time our goal is to maintain our average to contribute to the provincial traffic enforcement program. Our goal is 800 charges. At present time after the third quarter we are at 597 charges.  Included with impaired driving investigations we are concentrating on enforcement that contributes to accidents and injuries.

I strongly believe that these priorities are common with all communities and should remain for 2013/2014.  Regardless of the size of the community from Vancouver to Canal Flats these three are often the main focus of the police.

However, I recognize that in our smaller communities there are other priorities that they would like to see the police deal with. This year I would like to see how we can identify one priority from each community that will allow the officers to tackle. This can be discussed at the round table discussion.

This report will provide Mayor and Council with a good picture of the successes we have had in 2012.

I continue to be very pleased with the support we continue to receive in the community. Our goal continues to provide for Safe homes, Safe Community.

S/Sgt Marko Shehovac,

NCO i/c Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment

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