York Regional Police seek more public trust

YorkRegion.com
Feb. 24, 2014
By Jeremy Grimaldi

York Regional Police hopes to improve your trust in officers and the work they do and will enhance efforts to assist crime victims over the next few years.

The pledges are highlighted in the force's two-year business plan strategy, which lays out the force's objectives and goals for policing over the next 24 months.

To achieve the goals, the document includes plans to tally citizen complaints against the force as well as initiate more surveys to find out if officers have the public's trust.

The 2014 to 2016 business plan also pledges to develop and implement a victims' support strategy for those caught up in crimes committed around the region.

The plan further lays out some of your top concerns, including violent crimes, crimes against property and drugs.

Business owners, meanwhile, believe police should focus efforts on not only improving response times but also increasing foot patrols and visibility, according to the plan.

The document forecasts the police budget will reach $300 million in 2016 as the number of officers closes in on 1,600 for the region.

Other statistics include data showing that 29 per cent of York Region's population speaks a language other than English or French in the home, there is an ever widening income gap in towns and cities and that the region's population is set to rise to 1.6 million from 1.1 million by 2031.

"York Region has the proud distinction of not only being one of Canada’s most diverse communities, but also one of its safest," noted Chief Eric Jolliffe in his message.

The document is available under the heading Business Plan 2014-2016 on the York Regional Police services board website, yrpsb.ca and on the police's website yrp.ca

Questions and feedback about the plan should be directed to the planning and research unit at 1- 866-876-5423, ext. 7981, or by email to planning@yrp.ca.