The B.C. government wants to hear what you have to say about policing.

The Province is engaging with British Columbians online and in face-to-face sessions over the next three months, with feedback being used to support the development of a new 10-year policing strategic plan, announced Minister of Justice and Attorney General Shirley Bond.

The engagement is part of the Premier's commitment to develop a policing strategy that will provide goals, targets and performance measures for police over the next three, five and ten years. Areas of focus will include community safety, crime prevention, and the best ways to respond to and prevent gang and gun violence.

The first community roundtable is being held in Victoria today, with additional sessions to be held in different regions in the coming months. Roundtables are planned for Nanaimo, Vancouver, Surrey, Cranbrook, Prince George, Prince Rupert and Kelowna. Through the roundtables, the Province is engaging subject matter experts from the social service sector, police, local governments and community leaders.

A blog will be launched in the next few weeks that will allow the public throughout the province to provide their thoughts and ideas. Dialogue sessions will be held on the blog with regular updates as the project progresses, so British Columbians have a transparent view of how the plan is being developed and how their feedback is being incorporated.

All of the feedback received through the blog and in meetings will inform the development of the plan. A draft will be posted on the blog in the fall, so British Columbians will have opportunities to shape it every step of the way, before it is implemented.

Quotes:

Shirley Bond, Minister of Justice and Attorney General -

"This project is part of our continued efforts to enhance public confidence in policing and to engage British Columbians in keeping our communities safe. B.C.'s Policing Plan will help us modernize the justice sector and make it more transparent and responsive to B.C. families. I encourage British Columbians to provide their input as we develop the strategic policing plan."

Peter Lepine, president, B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police -

"Police are accountable to the communities we serve and we depend on their comments and concerns to help us balance expectations against the reality of our work. We welcome this engagement process, which will ultimately help policing in British Columbia move forward in a sustainable way."

Quick Facts:

• B.C.'s Policing Plan fulfils the Premier's commitment to developing a strategic plan for policing with stakeholders from outside the policing community.
• The final plan will be unveiled in the fall.

Contact:

Ministry of Justice
Government Communications and Public Engagement
250 356-6961