Neo‐liberalism, community, and police regionalization in Canada

Abstract

PurposeNeo‐liberal policies have had a profound effect on the organization of policing in Canada by rationalizing provincial and federal initiatives that off‐load policing costs to municipal and regional councils. This paper aims to comparatively analyze the effect of these initiatives on service delivery for regional versus non‐regional police services.Design/methodology/approachFour measures were used to assess efficiency: per capita cost, cost per criminal code offence, number of officers per 100,000 population, and number of support staff per 100,000 population. Three measures were used to assess effectiveness: violent crime clearance rate, property crime clearance rate, and total criminal code clearance rate.FindingsAnalysis of the data reveals that, despite claims surrounding regionalization, regional police services are not demonstrably any more effective or efficient than non‐regional services.Research limitations/implicationsUtilizes official crime data and police expenditure statistics. A national survey of police service delivery and citizen satisfaction is needed. Practical implications – These results can inform municipal and town council decisions about regional (or provincial contract) versus local police service provision. Originality/value – The first comprehensive comparative Canadian study on the efficiency and effectiveness of police regionalization. The article empirically challenges the purported relative effectiveness and efficiency of larger regional police services versus smaller non‐regional services in Canada.

Regionalization of Local Public Health Systems in the Era of Preparedness

“…Other nations have utilized regionalized governance structures as an efficient and effective mode of government. For example, Canada has implemented intraprovince regionalization of police services for at least 30 years (20). Furthermore, regionalization of health care services is an integral part of the Canadian universal health care system (19).…”

“…Moreover, consolidation is cost-effective owing to resource sharing and elimination of duplication (17). Another study comparing regional and municipal police forces in Ontario, Canada, found that the former was more cost-efficient, had wider police coverage, lower crime rates, and improved police organization and services (20). However, other studies have shown contrary results.…”

“…However, other studies have shown contrary results. In England and Wales, because crime remained local, small police services proved to be more efficient and effective (20). In a study of 1159 police services in the United States, smaller departments could assign fewer staff to administrative roles compared with larger police departments (20), thereby demonstrating a more efficient use of staff.…”

“…Despite further shifts toward regionalization of police services after 9/11, when the federal government created the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and discontinued subsidies for local police, consolidation encountered barriers (20). Resistance naturally stems from fear of loss of local autonomy because change and consolidation can represent a threat to a community's identity (17).…”

La réforme des forces de police au Canada : les tensions entre la sécurité des citoyens, les libertés fondamentales et le fédéralisme

“…Selon Murphy, on a vu la communauté comme une source d'information et un soutien, mais jamais comme un corps capable de pleinement prendre part à la responsabilité partagée de contrer la délinquance. La police dirige les projets 11 . On a d'abord installé des postes de police à proximité des communautés; ensuite, le secteur public, le secteur privé et les résidents ont conclu un partenariat; puis, on a mis en oeuvre des programmes améliorant la qualité de vie.…”