Regina police release results of 2023 public perception survey
Regina’s monthly board of police commissioners meeting was held Tuesday – where the board delved into the community perception of the Regina Police Service (RPS).
The service commissioned a community perception survey, which was conducted from Sept. 6 to Sept. 29 of last year.
The University of Regina organized survey of consisted of 454 respondents – exploring how the RPS is viewed in the eyes of residents. The survey marked the first time the data collection was amended to better represent visible minorities.
“[It’s] reassuring for me that we’ve gone out there, we’re open and transparent, we’re sharing that data, and then if there is any areas that we need to improve, we’ll continue to do that,” Chief Farooq Sheikh told CTV News.
The survey showed 82 per cent of respondents agreed RPS demonstrates professionalism in its work and 67 per cent believed RPS does a good job enforcing the law.
On the topic of crime and fear of crime, 38.3 per cent of respondents felt that crime had increased in their neighbourhoods over the past two years while 57 per cent thought it stayed the same – while the remaining 4.6 per cent saw a decrease.
In terms of feedback, residents called for more attention to high crime areas of the city, quicker response times and a larger focus on drug related crimes.
Chief Sheikh spoke to media following the meeting – reiterating his focus on the drug issue in particular.
“When you look across the country, everywhere is experiencing the same problem. Everywhere,” he repeated. “But again, what we’re trying to do is make Regina more of a no-go area for people to come in and deal drugs.”
In terms of public response to RPS’s new Aerial Support Unit, 36 per cent of respondents learned about it for the first time when taking the survey, while 64 per cent agreed that it increased public safety.
Overall, residents’ satisfaction with police efforts has gone up across most of the city over the past 13 years.
“When comparing satisfaction levels between the three police districts since 2011, respondents in the Central and North police districts reported increased levels of satisfaction compared to the last survey, while respondents in the South District reported a slight decline in satisfaction,” the report read.
Additionally, the survey showed Indigenous respondents tended to rate quality of service and perceptions of police lower than non-Indigenous respondents.
Alternatively, visible minority respondents rated satisfaction and quality higher than other minority respondents.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Pack the macaroni necklace: Lessons on evacuations from a woman who fled one of Canada's worst wildfires
Carol Christian had 15 minutes to evacuate her home during the Fort McMurray wildfires in 2016. She ended up losing the house and everything inside. Now, she wants to share the lessons she learned.
NEW 'Ugly produce': One way Canadians are shrinking rising grocery bills
As the cost of food in Canada has risen, grocery shoppers are looking at ways to reduce their grocery bill, and more are choosing price over beauty, turning to companies that deliver so-called 'misfit' produce at a fraction of the cost.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
Trudeau calls New Brunswick's Conservative government a 'disgrace' on women's rights
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assailed New Brunswick's premier and other conservative leaders on Thursday, calling out the provincial government's position on abortion, LGBTQ youth and climate change.
Miller scores late as Canucks grind out 3-2 win over Oilers in Game 5
J.T. Miller scored in the final minute of the game and the Vancouver Canucks came back for a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series Thursday.
Father charged with second-degree murder in daughter's stabbing death
A father has been charged with second-degree murder in the stabbing death of his 34-year-old daughter in southern Quebec.
B.C. parents sentenced to 15 years for death of 6-year-old boy
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has sentenced the mother and stepfather of a six-year-old boy who died from blunt-force trauma in 2018 to 15 years in prison.
Veteran TSN sportscaster Darren Dutchyshen has died
Veteran TSN broadcaster Darren 'Dutch' Dutchyshen, one of Canada’s best-known sports journalists, has died. He was 57. His family says 'he passed as he was surrounded by his closest loved ones.'
122 active wildfires burning across Canada, 32 considered 'out of control'
The 2024 wildfire season has begun, and it's shaping up to follow last year's unprecedented destruction in kind, with thousands of square kilometres already consumed.