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2022Annual Report
MissionIn partnership with our community, our members are dedicated to serve and protect. Through education, inclusivity, best practices and enforcement, we will be proactive in enhancing the quality of life, safety and security for all citizens.
Deputy Chief's Message ………………………………………………………………………… 4Progress on Strategic Safety Plan ………………………………………………………… 5Community Safety …………………………………………………………………………………… 5Workplace ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 7Organizational Eectiveness ………………………………………………………………… 9Project Coyote ……………………………………………………………………………………… 10Statistical Highlights ……………………………………………………………………………… 11Crime Trends ………………………………………………………………………………………… 14Table of Contents3www.bellevilleps.ca2022 Annual Report
4The importance of positive interactions between the public and the representatives of criminal justice institutions was never greater than after the pandemic. In 2022, we strived to increase these interactions by applying our own version of the three R’s: Re-establish, Rebuild and Reinvest. The 2022 Belleville Annual Report outlines where we made progress, where there were setbacks, and how we have improved. To furnish a snapshot of this year’s most relevant information, we have broken this report into three sections:• Progress on Strategic Safety Plan• Statistical Highlights• Crime Trends By implementing various initiatives and programs, our aim was to improve community service as well as the cohesion and resilience of our members. By prioritizing victim support and implementing preventive measures, we are striving to create a safer community and uphold our commitment to the wellbeing of all individuals.I would like to thank our 175 members, 22 volunteers, and the citizens of Belleville for their continued support as we return to normalcy and build upon our 186-year legacy.Should you have any questions or require elaboration, please feel free to contact me.“The Belleville Strategic Safety Plan is on track. The process started three years ago, and our plan now has twelve strategic objectives which drive much of the behind the scenes work for 2022-2024. Our priorities this year were community safety, the workplace, and organizational effectiveness.”– Deputy Chief Chris Barry4www.bellevilleps.ca2022 Annual ReportDEPUTY CHIEF'S MESSAGEDeputy Chief Chris BarryBelleville Police Service
Progress on Strategic Safety PlanThe Belleville Police Service partnered with Norigen Consulting to introduce a groundbreaking mobile dashboard. This dashboard allows access to both current and historical record management entries, enabling members to analyze patterns in real-time. They can overlay maps, plot graphs, and effectively transform hunches into statistically signicant data. Close collaboration with the Belleville Police Crime Analyst has resulted in nearly 150 evidence-based investigations, which might have otherwise been overlooked. All of these investigations were supported by data. We are optimistic that as members become more accustomed to this system, the number of investigations driven by the mobile dashboard will continue to grow in 2023.It is true that during the pandemic some individuals easily adapted to using Zoom or relying on social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. However, we are also aware that many others nd these mediums frustrating and overall, COVID-19 had a negative impact on police-community contact.As pandemic restrictions started to ease, we took proactive measures to maintain our new social media presence while simultaneously reactivating our traditional volunteer base. To determine our priorities for the next three-year cycle, we conducted an online community survey, which showed an overwhelming desire for increased patrol and emergency response capacity, more community involvement by our members, and less violent crime. Participation in community committees has gradually improved over time.5www.bellevilleps.ca2022 Annual ReportCOMMUNITY SAFETY
Road safety has consistently remained a top priority for Belleville residents. In response to a 17% increase in collisions over the past year, the Trafc Safety Unit and our Crime Analyst were activated.To be more proactive and enhance safety measures, we signicantly increased directed enforcement efforts in 2022. These efforts were often guided by our Crime Analyst or facilitated using mobile dashboard software. As a result, there was a 10% rise in the number of Provincial Offences Notices issued under the Highway Trafc Act and we re-established partnerships with external agencies such as the Ministry of Transportation, the Ontario Provincial Police, the Kingston Police Force, and the Ministry of the Environment. These collaborations allowed us to improve road safety through education, enforcement, and other proactive strategies.Prior to 2020, ofcers were imbedded in schools and dealt directly with youth at risk. COVID-19 led to online learning coincided with several negative incidents involving law enforcement, which led to many municipalities barring ofcers from school settings. This has posed very real challenges for police to intervene early when our children encounter trouble. In 2022, we took steps to reintroduce the Community Resource Ofcer position in elementary schools and the Safety Village.The shift away from youth-police interaction has tested partnerships and posed some counterintuitive challenges. However, we are grateful for the continued strong support from our community and plan to reinvest in school programs more actively in 2023.Rebuilding crime prevention programs following the COVID-19 hiatus has been gradual. Various initiatives were launched to address different areas of concern. These included "Lock it or Lose it" for automobile safety, "Hallowe'en Safe Streets" to ensure the safety of children, the "Safety 925 Garage Registry" for bicycles, plus we placed renewed focus on Community Resource Ofcers, both in-person and through social media platforms.These initiatives played a crucial role in raising awareness about crime trends and making it more difcult for criminals to carry out offences. By providing information and resources, we aim to empower our community and create an environment where crime prevention is a shared responsibility.6www.bellevilleps.ca2022 Annual Report
Labour shortages across Canada are a new reality. Our efforts to attract the best candidates who reect our community, with a particular focus on women, led to job fairs at all four local colleges and we hosted the second annual Women in Policing event in the fall. As a result of these initiatives, two Constables, two Special Constables, and two Auxiliary Ofcers were hired, all of whom had attended the Women in Policing event the previous year.The percentage of sworn ofcers who identify as women remained consistent at 21% (increasing slightly to 36% when including civilian members). Over the past year, we witnessed the retirement of one sworn ofcer and one civilian.Policing is an inherently demanding career, with unpredictable high-stress situations that can arise at any time and place. However, extensive research has demonstrated that several straightforward strategies can enhance the resilience, happiness, and productivity of police ofcers. In 2022, the principle of working with, rather than for, the community became especially critical.To promote a healthy and engaging workplace environment, we organized several events throughout the year, including:1. Psychological benets were increased 400% to $3,000 per year.2. Hosted several BBQs and pancake breakfasts for both current and retired members with proceeds directed to local charities.3. The hugely popular Polar Plunge helped fund Special Olympic programs.4. The Steve Carter Memorial Fitness Challenge was a big success, as was the addition of free yoga and tness classes taught by our members for our members.7WORKPLACEwww.bellevilleps.ca2022 Annual Report
8A signicant portion of police training is mandated at the provincial or federal level, covering essential areas such as Judgment Training, Use of Force, First Aid, Debrillator, Coach Ofcer, and Basic Recruit Training. Additionally, each police section offers specialized training to further enhance specic skills and knowledge.In 2022, we organized several training initiatives to provide comprehensive development opportunities for our ofcers. These included hosting a Criminal Investigation Training course, an Investigative Interviewing course, a Search Warrant course, and broader Emergency Operations training in collaboration with the City of Belleville.The efforts invested in training were fruitful, as 45% of our members participated in at least one course. Close to one-third of our members (29%) received two or more courses, representative of our strong commitment to continuous learning and professional development within our organization.www.bellevilleps.ca2022 Annual Report2022 Coursesfor Members45%29%148MembersOne CourseTwo or more Courses
Integrating a victim-centered approach into police response is not a mere choice, but rather a moral, ethical, and legal obligation. It is crucial for fostering trust and transparency within our criminal justice system. In 2022, we actively collaborated with Victim Services to enhance our support for victims of crime. Additionally, we took a unique step by implementing the St. John's Ambulance Therapy Dog Program, which involves bi-weekly visits to provide support to our own members.9ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESSwww.bellevilleps.ca2022 Annual ReportRecognizing that prevention is the most effective tool against victimization, the Belleville Police is increasingly utilizing technology, such as Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), to enhance citizen safety and security. These initiatives have yielded positive results, and we anticipate their expansion in the coming years.
10While many policing demands are routine, there are instances where extraordinary situations arise. In 2022, the Belleville Police actively collaborated on various signicant investigations, one of which was Project Coyote. This joint force operation involved the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Toronto Police, Belleville Police, and Windsor Police, and focused on drug-related activities. By working together, we contributed to the success of this operation. Additionally, we aided other police agencies across Ontario during large-scale events. Our ofcers were deployed to Ottawa to support security measures during government protests, as well as to Gananoque and Kingston as required. These collaborative efforts and reciprocal relationships between police agencies have proven to be effective and fruitful.www.bellevilleps.ca2022 Annual ReportPROJECT COYOTEThe signicance of fostering positive interactions between the public and representatives of criminal justice institutions has become even more pronounced. In 2022, our Service concluded a pilot program for Body Worn Cameras and made the decision to implement it for all our front line ofcers. This step allows us to enhance accountability, transparency, and public trust in our policing efforts.We have implemented GPS tracking for our vehicle eet to improve operational efciency. This technology enables us to support anti-idling vehicle practices, as well as track the speed and location of Belleville Police vehicles. It proves especially useful in scenarios such as ofcer pursuits or situations where an ofcer is unable to radio for backup.By adopting these technologies and practices, we aim to ensure the effective and responsible functioning of our law enforcement operations while promoting public condence and the safety of both our ofcers and the community they serve.
11www.bellevilleps.ca2022 Annual ReportOur total budgetfor the year was$21,888,900versus$21,692,187in 2021. Statistical HighlightsThere were 27,892 calls for service received in 2022 versus 25,702 in 2021. The ve-year average is 25,052 each year.2021 20225-year Average24000245002500025500260002650027000275002800028500Calls for Service
Total number of reported crimes against persons was 848 in 2022 versus 904 in 2021. The ve-year average is 887 each year. The clearance rate was 79% in 2022 versus the ve-year average of 77%.Total number of property crimes reported was 2,198 in 2022 versus 1,833 in 2021. The ve-year average for property crimes is 1,933 each year. The clearance rate was 24% in 2022 versus the ve-year average of 26%.There were 111 actual Controlled Drug and Substance Act violations in 2022 versus 132 in 2021. The ve-year average is 138 each year. The clearance rate was 88% in 2022 versus the ve-year average of 90%.820830840850860870880890900910Crimes Against Persons202120225-yearAverage20221111385-yearAverage12www.bellevilleps.ca2022 Annual Report20222198183320215-year Average19331322021
There was a total of 2,590 Criminal Code charges in 2022 versus 2,410 in 2021. The ve-year average is 2,205 each year.There were 3,511 Highway Trafc Act charges laid in 2022 versus 3,193 in 2021. The ve-year average is 2,809 each year. There were 22 public complaints received in 2022 versus 34 in 2021. Of those, 14 were screened out by the OIPRD, four were resolved by way of informal resolution, two were withdrawn, one was deemed unsubstantiated, and one remains active.CHARGES IN 20222021: 24102022: 2590722OIPRDComplaints2Withdrawn14Screenedout by OIPRD1Unsubstantiated4InformalResolution1Active13www.bellevilleps.ca2022 Annual Report2021: 31932022: 351110
The theft of motor vehicles is a concern. There were 41 vehicles reported stolen in 2021 and 78 in 2022, which is a 90% increase, and a 73% increase in the ve-year average. Analysis revealed that unlike many metropolitan areas, which are experiencing a surge in high end SUV’s being stolen by organized rings, Belleville’s vehicles involve a broad range of older vehicles, stolen as part of a larger crime of opportunity (such as taking car keys during a break and enter). Expect more public service updates on how to protect your vehicle in the coming year. There were 4,476 hang up calls to our 9-1-1 section in 2022 or 16% of the total number of calls, and this number continues to grow. This problem is often related to improperly secured phones in pockets or bags, children playing with mobile phones, and increasingly the accidental activation of emergency SOS features on popular phones. People are frequently unaware their Apple or Android phone has this feature, or how it is activated (e.g., holding down certain side buttons). Callers are reminded that every hang up must be actioned to ensure the caller is safe, which siphons resources from other priorities. The Belleville Police Service will be conducting a public education campaign in 2023 to mitigate the effects of accidental calls.14www.bellevilleps.ca2022 Annual ReportCrime Trends
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