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P.G. to Take Part in RCMP Pilot Program

By 250 News

Friday, July 04, 2008 05:19 PM

Prince George, B.C. - A new type of RCMP member will soon be on the streets  in Prince George and three other B.C. communities. 

Tomorow, the first group of Royal Canadian Mounted Police Community Safety Officer (CSO)  will graduate  and take part in this pilot program.

CSO's are uniformed members of the RCMP who work closely with regular members in five key areas that includes Community Safety; Crime Prevention; Traffic Support; Community Policing and Investigation Support. They will also contribute to Reduction initiatives in the province.

The CSO program provides participating communities and community clients a better mix of police resources to address their community priorities.  In addition to Prince George,  CSO's will be posted in Surrey, Langley and Maple Ridge.


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Will they be issued tasers? After all, they're gonna have to learn to use them. Ain't they?
Hmmmm I thought that was what the auxillarys were for.
It states quite clearly that "They will also contribute to Reduction initiatives in the province."

That refers to the Taser Reduction Program (TRP) initiatives ..... so, no tasers for them guys and gals.
Reduction initiatives in the province.

Does that mean that we will have fewer police (reduction)in our City and Province ??????? Is this just double speak???? Or did Frederick and I have to much wine last night?????

Cheers
Does this mean the retired members now have a place to continue police work with out the physical requirements, at a reduced monentary cost to the force? Are they going to be working in the capacity of Special Constables? This is nothing new only a new title. When the police start to use the resources of the communities, and become far more accountable to these communities that will be new.
Reserve constables carry guns. They get paid as much hourly as does a senior constable. They can only work 6 months out of the year though....nice job for a member who has just retired and drawing a pension.....lets see....35K a year pension, and then another 35K a year for being a reserve constable....not bad..............difference is, you arent covered under the superannuation...but then again, you dont pay for it either.....its great: No more EI , pension, insurance, etc deductions..just income tax.
From the RCMP website: Sounds like huggy huggy kissy kissy policing but if it leaves the regular general duty member more time to catch bad guys....

Five municipalities in British Columbia are participating in a Community Safety Officer pilot project.

1. What is a Community Safety Officer (CSO)?
Community Safety Officers are unarmed RCMP staff members managed by the RCMP. They complement and support general duty constables, providing a visible and accessible uniformed presence to improve the quality of life in the community and offer greater public reassurance.

2. Do they replace general duty Constables?
CSOs are not replacements. They address some of the tasks that do not require the experience or powers held by general duty Constables.

3. Why is the RCMP employing CSOs?
Communities are asking for a more visible police presence and greater focus on prevention programs. CSOs are a service option communities can choose to create the most efficient mix of RCMP employees to cover the community’s priorities. This new policing service model provides additional opportunities to better deliver the service communities expect and deserve.

4. What do CSOs do?
The CSO role is developed in consultation with each individual community. Their primary purpose is to improve the community by providing increased police visibility and operational support while assisting in the delivery of crime prevention and public reassurance programs. They will work alongside existing RCMP officers, other policing services, and community organizations to provide a visible and accessible uniformed presence.

5. Will every detachment have CSOs?
Currently, the CSO role is being trialed in five detachments in British Columbia. If the position becomes a permanent part of the RCMP service model, where CSOs work will be determined through discussion between the RCMP and the community.

6. What powers will they have?
CSOs have all the powers of a peace officer as appropriate to the CSO’s job duties and training.

7. How can they be effective without full police powers?
CSOs support police officers. The major part of their work does not require full police powers. All CSOs are full members of the RCMP force and are trained to take appropriate action in the event of difficult circumstances. They will be supervised by police officers and will have radio access to enable them to call for assistance should it be required.

8. Why can’t you just employ more Constables?
We are committed to employing as many police officers as we can. However, we need to provide a more visible and accessible uniformed patrol presence and need to tackle the quality of life issues. These tasks do not require the powers or experience of police officers but often take police officers away from more appropriate duties.

9. Will Constables no longer conduct foot patrols, provide crime prevention programs, or attend community events, if the community has CSOs?
Improving and maintaining the quality of life of our communities and to provide public reassurance remains the duty of all staff. CSO will not have sole responsibility for these tasks but are there to support police officers in these duties.

10. How can we tell who is a CSO and who is a police officer?
CSOs wear a uniform that makes them recognisable as being employees of the RCMP but that makes them look distinct from Constables. All CSOs carry RCMP identification. If you are in doubt about a person’s identity ask them to show you this.

11. How are CSOs being recruited?
We try to recruit CSOs from within our diverse communities. This boosts our efforts to establish a workforce that is representative of the communities we serve and will ultimately provide better service through cultural awareness, local knowledge, personal interest/passion, etc.

12. What are the basic qualifications to be a CSO?
CSOs have to meet the same minimum requirements and reliability standards of a regular RCMP member. Please see the RCMP website.

13. Will CSOs eliminate existing Auxiliary Constables and volunteer programs? No. Auxiliary and volunteer programs will continue to exist as they are today. CSOs will only be employed where there is a full-time need, and at the option of the community.

14. What training are they being provided with?
CSOs are provided comprehensive job specific training including the RCMP Incident Management Intervention Model. They will be trained to carry out the specific priorities of their community (e.g. crime prevention programs). They will be provided with on-going support, training and development.

15. What if I want to talk to a police officer?
CSOs will do their best to listen to you and resolve the issues you have or problems you may be experiencing. But we understand that there are sometimes when you may want to speak to a police officer. You can always do this by contacting your local RCMP detachment or you can rely on the CSO to assist you in making contact.


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How about someone hiring "Community Safety Judges"? You know. Them hangin' judges. The ones who lock the bad guys up and throw away the keys. As it stands, with the judges we have these days, these new constables are guaranteed job security and all the overtime they can handle. Alas!
It really doesn't matter what the RCMP does if the court system doesn't follow through.
Until there is effective sentencing,nothing will change.
The RCMP work hard at solving a case and the courts and judges simply issue a slap on the hand and shove them back out on the street.
It happens all the time, and I don't blame the RCMP for being frustrated.
If you think WE get pissed at our judges,you want to hear how the cops feel!
The difference is,they are not allowed to stand up and say it!