DRPS Community Safety Advisory Council - East Division

Purpose

Durham Regional Police Services (DRPS) is establishing a Community Safety Advisory Council (CSAC) to enhance relationships with residents and strengthen its commitment to community policing.

The purpose of the CSAC is to provide a foundation for improving service delivery and promote effective planning, policy and decision-making that meets the needs of the communities served by Durham Regional Police Service.

The Advisory Council will serve as an independent resource to both the community and the East Division management team.

Terms of reference

• Provide information and informed advice to the Divisional Management Team on a variety of matters, including:
  • Program delivery
  • Quality service
  • Community perceptions
  • Ethnocultural issues
  • Special initiatives
• Identify issues and concerns relating to policing in neighbourhoods that:
  • Enhance police understanding of the communities it serves.
  • Foster partnerships between Durham Regional Police Service and our human service partners and the communities and populations we serve.
• Serve as a mechanism for the reciprocal and positive exchange of information by:
  • Soliciting feedback from the community and remaining current with the community and policing concerns.
  • Providing feedback to the community on policing perspectives and responses to public safety and policing issues.
  • Making suggestions and developing strategies for improvement that address shared local concerns.
  • Liaising with local municipal officials (when required) to address mutual concerns and to collaborate on initiatives.
• Act as ambassadors for the promotion of positive police and community relations by:
  • Facilitating community awareness about Durham Regional Police Service police processes, policies, procedures, programs, and initiatives.
  • Providing guidance to community members about procedures and processes in place to have their issues and concerns addressed or to voice their suggestions relating to policing in their community.
  • Facilitating opportunities for positive police and community interactions and dialogue.
  • Identifying resources and in-kind contributions (e.g. volunteers, partnerships) available to support programs and initiatives.

Composition

The CSAC is a volunteer advisory group comprised of two residents per electoral ward (eight residents in total) representing the ethnocultural, geographical and age diversity from the Municipality of Clarington. There may also be additional members representing other committees or organizations. 

All applications will be evaluated using set criteria and interviews with interested parties will take place with Municipality of Clarington staff and representatives from the following groups: Clarington Diversity Advisory Committee, Bowmanville Older Adult Association and John Howard Society - Firehouse Youth. 

Selected nominees will be subject to a basic security clearance and asked to agree to an Oath of Secrecy.

Frequency and location of meetings

Four times a year. Additional meetings may be called as the CSAC is formally established. Meetings will be held at DRPS East Division (2046 Maple Grove Road, Bowmanville).