Deck 2: Understanding Community Policing

Question 1

Policing is the largest component of the Canadian criminal justice system and, accordingly, has the biggest slice of funding, at $9.9 billion annually.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

There are only two independent provincial police forces in Canada: the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Sûreté du Québec (SQ).

Answer 2

False

Question 3

The RCMP provide all of the policing within the province of Newfoundland and Labrador with the exception of major urban areas such Cornerbrook, Labrador City, and St. John's where independent municipal police are employed.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

The community policing model is often described as a "full service" model in that it attempts to provide a broad range of comprehensive services to the community.

Question 5

Historically, police services have given little attention to issues of leadership and professionalism. Promotion and security were a function of longevity rather than level of education and specific qualifications and achievements.

Question 6

The majority of police officers in Canada are involved in providing:

A) municipal police services.
B) provincial police services.
C) federal police services.
D) police support services, such as information systems.

Question 7

Aboriginal police services and their officers:

A) operates exclusively under the supervision of the RCMP.
B) do not have the same authority and power as municipal, provincial, and RCMP police.
C) are autonomous and have full power and authority to enforce all laws, including the Criminal Code, on reserve lands.
D) are responsible and accountable to the National Aboriginal Police Commission.

Question 8

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms:

A) sets out the responsibilities of the federal and provincial governments in the area of criminal justice.
B) sets out the criminal laws and procedures for the administration of justice.
C) is concerned primarily with nonlegal issues.
D) sets out basic rights and freedoms for citizens.

Question 9

Statistics on Canadian crime trends indicate that:

A) there is an upward trend in reported crime.
B) there has been a decline in reported crime.
C) the rates of violent crime have shown an upward trend.
D) property crimes have increased.

Question 10

The Constitution Act, 1982:

A) sets out the responsibilities of the federal and provincial governments in the area of criminal justice.
B) was replaced by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in 1995.
C) sets out the criminal laws of Canada.
D) applies only to the RCMP and other federal agencies.

Question 11

Statistics on visible minorities indicate that:

A) most new arrivals in Canada settle in rural rather than in urban areas.
B) visible minorities as a percentage of the population have been declining.
C) immigrants to Canada tend to settle in urban areas.
D) most visible minorities live in the province of Quebec.

Question 12

Private security officers in Canada:

A) outnumber public police officers
B) are permitted to wear sidearms.
C) have no powers of arrest or detention.
D) operate under the supervision of public police services.

Question 13

Community-based strategic policing describes:

A) an evolving model of policing in Canada.
B) the community's response to take over its own policing needs.
C) a new policing initiative run by the federal government.
D) the current model of policing.

Question 14

In Ontario, the Integrated Justice System Initiative is designed to:

A) prosecute individuals that have committed crimes throughout the province.
B) coordinate drug trafficking offences and other serious crimes.
C) facilitate a seamless flow of information among justice agencies.
D) provide direction to police services in the area of charge approval.

Question 15

The "growing crisis in human resources" refers to:

A) the inability for police to attract women and visible minorities into policing.
B) the need for police agencies to establish summer police camps and cadet programs.
C) the trend for new police officers to select specialty sections over general duty patrol.
D) the need for recruitment and retention of police officers.

Question 16

The "S.I.U." in Ontario, is perhaps the best example in Canada of:

A) how policing has changed since September 11, 2001.
B) external civilian review of police activities.
C) a specialized policing unit.
D) the contemporary role of policing.

Question 17

Professional Standard Units within a police agency:

A) are tasked with ensuring adequate dress and deportment levels.
B) provide direction to the community on levels of police response.
C) investigate alleged misconduct on the part of officers.
D) ensure that police applicants can meet recruit entry expectations.

Question 18

The police strength is based upon the number of officers per 100,000 population. In Canada, the police strength is:

A) the same as the United States.
B) the same as England/Wales.
C) roughly 195 officers per 100,000.
D) roughly 241 officers per 100,000.

Question 19

In Canada, female officers make up roughly:

A) 35% of all police officers
B) 10% of all police officers including visible minority officers
C) 15% of all police officers and roughly 95% of police civilian employees
D) 18.5 % of all police officers

Question 20

Police officers can be held accountable for their actions under the Criminal Code as well as under

A) civil and administrative law.
B) the RCMP Act and the Police Act.
C) the legislative provisions empowering SIU and other oversight bodies.
D) provincial legislation governing police conduct and discipline.

Question 21

Why has the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms had a profound impact on Canadian police work?

Question 22

What is the Constitution Act, 1982, and why is it important in our study of policing?

Question 23

What are the key sections of Ontario's Police Services Act?

Question 24

Discuss the mechanisms that exist in Canada to ensure police accountability.

Question 25

What is Canada's Integrated Justice Information Initiative and what are its objectives?

Question 26

State the two key pieces of legislation that provide the framework for police services in the province of Ontario. Explain the purpose of these pieces of legislation.

Question 27

Explain why is it necessary to continually examine the contemporary roles of the police?

Question 28

What is community-based strategic policing and how is it different from earlier community-based policing?

Question 29

Explain how recent changes in the crime context have resulted in a change in policing.

Question 30

Reflect upon the "Trends in Policing". What developments are occurring in Canadian society that will likely result in new trends in policing?

Question 31

Research studies suggest that regional police forces are efficient in a number of ways however critics counter that there are often organizational and operational difficulties associated with amalgamating police services. Discuss both the pros and cons of implementing a regional police force including the impact upon community policing.

Question 32

What do you think is the relationship between community policing and the public's trust in the police to investigate complaints against themselves? What are some of the methods that a police agency can remain both accountable and transparent to the public?

Question 33

Discuss the contexts of police work in Canada noting their implications for policing.