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
2 died in plane crash near Squamish, B.C., police confirm
Two people died after a plane went down in a remote area near Squamish, B.C. on Friday, authorities have confirmed.
Grayson Murray's parents say the two-time PGA Tour winner died of suicide
Grayson Murray's parents said Sunday their 30-year-old son took his own life, just one day after he withdrew from a PGA Tour event.
At least 15 dead after severe weather carves path of ruin across multiple U.S. states in the South
Powerful storms killed at least 15 people and left a wide trail of destruction Sunday across Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas during the latest deadly weather to strike the central U.S.
Blaine Higgs 'furious' over sexual education presentation
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs has shared his anger on social media over a presentation in at least four high schools.
This type of screen time has the worst effect on kids: experts
According to some experts, there is one type of screen time that is continuously excessive, and it's having a severe effect on our children.
After more than 100 years, Newfoundland's unknown soldier returns home
An unknown Newfoundland soldier, who fought and died on the battlefields in northeastern France during the First World War, is back home this weekend for the first time in more than a hundred years.
Driver, 18, gets $3,000 ticket, 32 demerit points after speeding on Laval boulevard
A young driver received a hefty fine from Laval police after they say he was driving nearly 100 km/h over the posted speed limit.
The dreams of a 60-year-old beauty contestant come to an abrupt end in Argentina
A 60-year-old woman saw her dreams of becoming the oldest Miss Universe contestant in history melt away in a haze of sequins and selfies Saturday at Argentina’s annual beauty pageant.
Indianapolis 500 starts after 4-hour rain delay with Kyle Larson in the field
The Indianapolis 500 started Sunday after a rain delay of four hours with NASCAR star Kyle Larson still at the track and in the race.