April 11, 2016 - Minutes (Special)
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Date: |
Monday, April 11, 2016 |
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Place: |
Anderson Room |
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Present: |
Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair |
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Call to Order: |
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:06 p.m. |
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LAW AND COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION |
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Police Services Review public consultation results |
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Anna Lilly, FleishmanHillard (representing the Mustel Group), explained that (i) the consultation report summarizes public opinion, which was derived based on consultation processes and input received from citizens and stakeholders (ii) consultation materials were previewed by Council (iii) most of the 644 responses to the Mustel public opinion poll were received from residents, exceeding the City’s typical response rate (iv) results of the Mustel poll and the LetsTalkRichmond survey were consistent and (v) the consultation process identified a preference to maintain the RCMP as the police services provider for the City. |
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Ms. Lilly reviewed some of the key concerns conveyed by respondents, which related to (i) significant costs associated with switching to an independent police force and (ii) a lack of rationale for considering a change. |
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Ted Townsend, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, concurred that respondents were generally pleased with the services provided by the RCMP. |
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In response to questions from Committee, Ms. Lilly provided the following additional comments: |
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some respondents questioned whether the City should consider taking a leadership role in investigating the feasibility of a regional police force; |
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the Mustel poll’s sample size of randomly recruited residents was considered a reliable reflection of the community, for the purpose of deriving public opinion; the degree of participation in the poll exceeded accepted standards; |
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key differences between the Mustel poll and the LetsTalkRichmond survey, included: |
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the survey respondents self-participated, while the poll respondents were recruited; and |
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the poll occurred prior to the survey; |
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approximately two-thirds of respondents indicated their preference for a policing model, while one-third indicated they were undecided. |
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Discussion ensued on (i) benefits of regularly surveying the community about the City’s services (ii) some previously suggested advantages of a regionalized police force (iii) a survey response rate consistent with the community’s ethnicity divisions and (iv) timeframe requirements associated with considering a transition to an independent police force. |
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During a review of some of the feedback received through the process, discussion ensued regarding (i) sharing with superior RCMP levels, the community’s indication that “traffic and pedestrian safety” was less of a priority than anticipated (ii) some important issues identified during the consultation process (iii) the importance of police responsiveness and (iv) a lack of clarity on the rationale for change. |
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In response to questions from Committee, Mr. Townsend confirmed that efforts were made to consult with various stakeholder, business, cultural and social service groups, and to connect with a broad spectrum of the community. |
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Responding to further questions from Committee, Phyllis Carlyle, General Manager, Law and Community Safety, noted that (i) if the current consultation process concluded, additional feedback could be sought from the LetsTalkRichmond survey participants (ii) the City’s important relationship with the RCMP will continue to be maintained and supported and (iii) discussions on regional policing are anticipated at the June 2016 Lower Mainland Mayors Consultative Forum. |
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During further discussion, it was suggested that staff consider the process for distributing information in advance of committee meetings, and whether significant reports such as this one, could be provided earlier. |
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As a result of the discussion, the following motion was introduced: |
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It was moved and seconded |
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(1) |
That the report titled “Policy Services Review Public Consultation Results,” dated April 1, 2016 from the Senior Manager, Corporate Communications and the Senior Manager, Community Safety Policy and Programs, be received for information; |
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(2) |
That the current consultation process with regards to the ongoing Policy Services Review, be considered complete; |
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(3) |
That staff be directed to: |
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(a) |
consider with Council, periodic surveys and consultations regarding ongoing police services; |
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(b) |
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, including the possibility of a local police board for Richmond; |
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(4) |
That a copy of the staff report and consultation report be sent to the other Metro Vancouver RCMP cities, the Solicitor General, the local MLAs and the local MPs; and |
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(5) |
That the other Metro Vancouver RCMP cities be invited to participate in initiating a discussion on the possibility of regional policing. |
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CARRIED |
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ADJOURNMENT |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the meeting adjourn (5:29 p.m.). |
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CARRIED |
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Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Monday, April 11, 2016. |
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Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie |
Carrie Peacock |