A five-year strategic plan has been released by the Saint John Police Force.
The plan will focus on measurable targets to help guide efforts in the advancement of the organization.
“The purpose of the strategic plan is to recognize that our environment is constantly changing, and the plan sets out to define goals, measurements, and a strategic agenda to respond to environmental forces, and opportunities to advance Saint John Police,” Chief Robert Bruce said during a police commission meeting on Tuesday.
After a community survey and several focus groups, the police force was able to establish five strategic themes.
Engaging the community is the first theme under the strategic plan, which Bruce said is the biggest piece.
“To me, the success of us will be that piece of it, everything else is really good and supports that, but our focus is all about community engagement, so I would say that’s the critical element,” he said.
“Also, what’s important to us is what the community thinks of us because that’s how we build trust, and so when you’re building trust part of that is your accountability, and making sure that you’re doing the things that you’re supposed to do.”
Financial sustainability is another theme that is part of the strategic plan.
Some of the objectives included in that theme are incorporating a financial manager to ensure a robust accountability process and assessment, as well as assessing opportunities to reduce overtime.
Bruce said reducing overtime can be done with a part-time policing program.
“It’s hiring officers that have recently retired and bringing them back to a part-time basis for a minimum or maximum of let’s say 20 hours per week … so you’re not calling people in for overtime, you’re paying for a contract for a certain period, and that’s in the development stage right now,” he said.
The other themes include operational efficiency, focusing on development, and improving the force’s brand.
Bruce added that the strategic plan will be reviewed quarterly, and updated annually. The plan runs until 2026.
You can view the presentation given to the police commission by clicking here.
