Citizens On Patrol eyes & Ears

Citizens on Patrol (C.O.P.)had a good turnout of about 20-25 people about a ¼ of them came from St Ives who already have their own COP. Troy Beauregard and Jonathan Spooner came from the RCMP to support the start of the North Shuswap COP. The officers made it clear this is not a RCMP program but one of the communities, they are there to support the citizens- not lead them. The RCMP does appreciate the support of the community by being the eyes and ears for the RCMP. There are some good examples of successful COPs in Chase and Salmon Arm. There is also a need for a COP in the Sorrento and Squilax area.

                Generally volunteers when patrolling will go out with a partner have ID cards and could also have jackets and magnetic signs to identify themselves as COP volunteers.  Patrols would generally be on weekends, holidays and centered on areas of potential criminal activity. All volunteers in the COP would need to get a record check. It is a simple procedure of supplying; ID to be photo copied and fill out 2 pieces of documents and bring them to the RCMP station. It would take 2-3 weeks to process.  There is no fingerprinting and follow ups are only if something in the application needs looking deeper into. The time commitment would vary; “as a rule of thumb” if there were 12 people, one would only have to go out once every; 5 weeks.  If there was 30 members than it would then be once every; 10 weeks. The time could be from 11:00 PM to 3 to 4 AM. The high profile of COP is to not only see and report unusual activity but; to let people know you are out there and helping the community be more aware that they  can help prevent crime. There are many examples where COP has made a real difference.

                Starting up needs people and the money end of supporting COP can come from many other sources. The North Shuswap Safety & Police Advisory Committee (The Chair Lynda Sutton and committee has been instrumental in getting COP of the ground) has money to kick start the program. I have funds from the CSRD Grants in Aid that can be made available, businesses have been supportive and would likely provide some funding and as well those residents who cannot volunteer often want show cash donations as support. ICBC does offer some funding opportunities for COP groups that take on the "Speedwatch" or other related activities.There is a volunteer insurance from the Province of BC / RCMP while performing volunteer duties. (not sure of the exact coverage)

                The RCMP support  can be quite extensive for COP, especially as they grow, such as; training programs, speed watch (they have a speed board available), most wanted and stolen car lists (lists can be down loaded and accessible to COP) and insurance coverage and though discouraged. RCMP response time to COP reports could be faster (depending on the crime being reported)not with standing  the importance of what the officers are currently busy at. This is where the COP real shines; it is  the information the COP give to the RCMP; which could bring them out faster or save them time by not coming out to a situation that is not so important. An example was; if there are people yelling at each other the police would not likely come unless they had the time. If they were yelling and being physically abusive or weapons came out; suddenly that becomes a top priority and they would likely come out to that incident. It is all about priorities and time management, for the police.  It was made abundantly clear that COP is just the ears and eyes of the police not to do anything further.  In the situation where over an exuberant COP member gets out of line they can be removed. In one of the officers 15 years of experience with COP- that has only happened once, it is a rare case that this happens at all. The program would have policies and expectations of behaviors of COP
volunteers.  Another spin off of being a COP is that you get to know the RCMP members and creates a more personal relationship.  It creates a trust between the police and the public.