The Canadian Review of Policing Research (2004)
ISSN: 1710 6915
RCMP RESEARCH AND EVALUATION: BRANCH RESEARCH PROGRAM
Under the responsibility of the Community, Contract and Aboriginal Policing Services Directorate, the Research and Evaluation Branch is a research unit involved in identifying current, emerging and potential problems that can influence the effectiveness and efficiency of the services provided to the community by police. The Directorate is also responsible for proposing, developing and conducting operational and empirical research to provide knowledge for the analysis of policing trends, the operations model by which the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) directs its activities, strategic planning and policy development. The Branch also provides professional research support to other RCMP operational directorates. It is often consulted on a wide range of themes and issues. Finally, we collaborate with the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Working Group, Research and Analysis, and have supported research on money laundering and drug trafficking.
The Branch provides information and professional advice via reports, notes, memoranda, and so on, taken from results of ongoing work or research developed to meet emerging issues. It also evaluates problems of specific interest to the RCMP. The goal is to prepare and position the organization and its service model to anticipate changes, as opposed to reacting to them. Research is thus crucial to the development and support of the organization. It falls within an application-of-knowledge context.
To achieve these objectives, research is conducted by either permanent members of the team internally, or managed by contract staff. The Branch maintains close professional ties with academics, other directorates within the organization, other government agencies and police. In short, the RCMP has equipped itself with the necessary tools to gather, develop and present cutting-edge information and knowledge to support sound decision-making.
Research Program
In the current context, research includes several specific elements that work towards improving the organization’s effectiveness, such as strategic research, trend analysis, program evaluation, best practices review, needs identification, performance evaluation in various situations, and surveys of the literature. Applied research of this nature is essential to help identify, implement and evaluate services to be provided both within and outside the organization.
Over the past 18 months, the Branch has been responsible for over 20 active research projects. They can be divided into two major categories: 1) a series of impact studies related to organized crime in Canada and, 2) several other research initiatives related to policing issues in general or to specific concerns regarding police management or operations.
The transfer of knowledge acquired in the course of research is also a priority for the Branch. As such, research results are published in reports and distributed free of charge. Usually they can also be found on the RCMP Web site, at www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ccaps/research_eval_e.htm. Much of the work is also presented in scientific lectures, seminars, exchanges and discussion forums; however, the bulk of the research results in the second category are for internal use only.
Impact Studies
The first category includes a series of studies on organized crime. These studies can be divided into two groups: those dealing with law enforcement, and those dealing with the activities of organized crime per se.
The first group includes studies on integrated border enforcement teams working along the Canada-US border, one of the initiatives launched in the wake of the attacks of September 11, 2001. One of the objectives is to fight trans-border organized crime. A report was prepared to describe the ongoing initiative, its objectives, the planning process, and the various obstacles and stumbling blocks.2
The second group of studies takes a look at organized crime from several perspectives. The first focuses on restorative measures to rectify the implicit prejudices of smuggling in Aboriginal communities.3 The report shows how Aboriginal-based organized crime is defined and perceived, how it has evolved within Aboriginal communities and discusses what is at stake for these communities, for their elders, for law enforcement and for justice. The report evaluates how the community can fight organized crime by using restorative justice as a tool to manage the problem. Another exploratory study considered the possibility of developing a typology to define Aboriginal-based organized crime. It also seeks to describe the implications of organized crime on Aboriginal communities.4
A second perspective focuses on the trafficking in human beings, women, prostitution and or organized crime in Canada.5 The report describes the state of knowledge on this problem. It evaluates the connections between organized crime and the impact of law enforcement. The report provides current knowledge on legislation, data on police, immigration, and so on, as well as on key players, such as municipal police departments and other law enforcement agencies. In the same perspective, a second study deals with understanding organized crime and the trafficking of human beings in Canada through perceptions and talk. It is an exploratory study concentrating on trends and changes in discourse in the country on the trafficking in human beings and organized crime in the country. The study will be completed in the winter of 2004.
A third perspective involves media coverage of organized crime and its impact on public opinion.6 As events related to organized crime attract the attention of both the media and the general public, research is focusing on the connections between the events as described in the media, organized crime and public opinion. Seen as open sources of information, the report asks the following question: Does media coverage of organized crime influence public opinion, and if so, how? Another study based on the same perspective deals with the impact of media coverage of organized crime on the orientation of police-intervention policy in Canada. The report sets out to determine if police leaders feel media coverage of organized crime has an impact on public opinion and the definition of public policy. The report also evaluates how police directors perceive coverage of organized crime.7
A fourth perspective deals with analytical tools already available, or to be developed to fully grasp the complexity of organized crime networks. The report includes a survey of literature on the concept of social networks in general, and draws major conclusions on the use of the concept for criminal networks. The objective was to see if the notion could be used to analyze criminal intelligence.8
A fifth perspective focuses on new challenges created by corruption in the new world order. Based on a review of the literature, the report evaluates the scope and impact of corrupt practices in Canada from the perspective of the new world order. More specifically, it assesses and shows what corruption is, legal tools available to fight corruption, and the types of responses to this social problem.9
Another perspective takes a look at the impact of organized crime on youth as both victims and offenders10 . The study assesses their involvement in the following types of crimes: drugs, alcohol, tobacco, auto theft, terrorism, trafficking in human beings, child sexual abuse, youth gangs, gambling, fraud, corporate organized crime, money laundering.
General Policing Studies
There are another series of research initiatives that address problems of priority to the RCMP. Most of this research is not available to the general public.
One study takes a look at current evaluative research to weigh the impact of the use of closed-circuit television (CCTV) in public places.11 The author makes connections between CCTV, crime, justice and policy development. According to the author, the results are still too embryonic to reach definite conclusions.
Another study is analyzing violent occurrence reports involving members of the RCMP from 1997 to 2001 in an effort to assess the situation. The study asks what happened, where, when, with whom, between whom, and whether or not weapons were used.12
All police departments across Canada were surveyed in the spring of 2003 regarding information technology and the sharing of information.13 The survey was a follow-up to an initial survey targeting the same respondents in 2002.14 The survey describes the current information technology situation in policing: what is the connection between information technology and the sharing of information? How will things be in the future? The survey was developed as part of a conference on the sharing of information held in Montreal in November, 2003, under the aegis of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police.15
The use of national police services by police departments across the country is yet another issue. A survey of users on various aspects of the matter evaluates the frequency of use, the suppliers of services (NPS or private sector), training offered and used, and so on. An Interim Report was prepared for the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, National Police Services Committee.
Finally, a study focused on the problem-solving approach in an educational situation, to evaluate restorative justice as a possible alternative.16
One of the last perspectives involves meetings with notable researchers. In one such meeting, Professor Fijnaut set forth his approach and commented on the problem of organized crime in Europe.17
Major Lessons Learned
So what has all of this research, heterogeneous in nature and addressing a variety of problems, taught us? I would like to make three comments to conclude. The first involves the practical aspect of the work done to date.
First of all, some of the major research issues raised by the studies indicate that problems are more complex than anticipated. Putting the information in perspective also makes it possible to find solutions. In other words, by helping us to understand problems from another viewpoint and defining them in a new way, research often yields new solutions. For instance, the study on the trafficking in human beings shows that not all individuals involved in the latter see or describe themselves as passive victims unable to speak for themselves in the harsh regime under which they live.
The connections between organized crime and research are difficult to establish and analyze. It may seem bold to group various projects under the heading of “organized crime”, since the concept of organized crime includes different types of criminal organizations, different illegal acts as set forth in the Criminal Code and an array of players. There are several ways to understand and define organized crime. It is not a monolithic issue. As shown by the 2002 study carried out by the Solicitor General of Canada as part of the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Task Force on Organized Crime, Research and Evaluation, it is not an easy task to agree on a social definition of organized crime.18 The results also emphasize the need to conduct various types of research and in-depth analyses.
A second comment deals more with the theoretical aspect of the work done to date. The studies focus on phenomena that are still little or poorly understood in Canada. We discovered that the problems are more complex than they are claimed to be, and there is a real need to conduct more research on the situation in Canada. There is not enough real knowledge on the matter in Canada. We have yet to consider the problem from a theoretical perspective and to truly reflect on the matter, instead of relying on criminal intelligence or newspaper clippings. Research helps us to understand the complexity of policing problems and can help find both theoretical and operational solutions. Research studies are also necessary not only to gather information and develop operational responses, but to generate the critical discussion necessary for the development of sound administrative policies and priorities.
A third comment concerns the management of research in the area of policing. It is not an easy task to find experts, researchers or academics who are able to contribute new theoretical and conceptual approaches to very practical problems in which basic data are usually considered as established. It would be important to invite experts in related fields, such as political science, to look into policing-related issues and research in the area of security. True researcher-police cooperation is possible as long as respective areas of expertise are respected.
There is also a very clear need for more research in the area of security, which is barely being met at the moment. There is a real need for descriptive and analytical studies on the police and the many components thereof. It is unfortunate there is not more interest in the matter, nor more researchers to look into it.
Endnotes
1. The opinions expressed in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
2. M. E. LeBeuf, Canada-US Law Enforcement Border Partnership - An Evolving Situation, Research and Evaluation Branch, Community, Contract and Aboriginal Policing Services Directorate, Ottawa: 2002, Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Available on the Internet at: www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ccaps/research_eval_e.htm.
3. E. J. Dickson-Gilmore, Communities, Contraband and Conflict: Considering Restorative Responses to Repairing the Harms Implicit in Smuggling in the Akwesasne Mohawk Nation, Research and Evaluation Branch, Community, Contract and Aboriginal Policing Services Directorate, Ottawa: 2002, Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Available on the Internet at: www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ccaps/research_eval_e.htm.
4. E. J. Dickson-Gilmore, Aboriginal Organized Crime in Canada: Developing a Typology for Understanding and Strategizing Responses, Research and Evaluation Branch, Community, Contract and Aboriginal Policing Services Directorate, Ottawa: 2003, Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Available on the Internet at: www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ccaps/research_eval_e.htm.
5. C. Bruckert and C. Parent, Trafficking in Human Beings and Organized Crime: A Literature Review, Research and Evaluation Branch, Community, Contract and Aboriginal Policing Services Directorate, Ottawa: 2002, Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Available on the Internet at: www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ccaps/research_eval_e.htm.
6. J. Dubois, Media Coverage of Organized Crime: Impact on Public Opinion, Research and Evaluation Branch, Community, Contract and Aboriginal Policing Services Directorate, Ottawa: 2002, Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Available on the Internet at: www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ccaps/research_eval_e.htm
7. J. Dubois, Media Coverage of Organized Crime - Police Managers Survey, Research and Evaluation Branch, Community, Contract and Aboriginal Policing Services Directorate, Ottawa: 2003 Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Available on the Internet at: www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ccaps/research_eval_e.htm.
8. V. Lemieux, Criminal Networks, Research and Evaluation Branch, Community, Contract and Aboriginal Policing Services Directorate, Ottawa: 2003, Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Available on the Internet at: www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ccaps/research_eval_e.htm.
9. F. Acosta, Canada and the New Challenges Posed by Corruption in the New World Order: A Literature Review, Research and Evaluation Branch, Community, Contract and Aboriginal Policing Services Directorate, Ottawa: 2003, Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Available on the Internet at: www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ccaps/research_eval_e.htm.
10. H. Richter-White, The Direct and Indirect Impacts of Organized Crime on Youth, as Offenders and Victims, Research and Evaluation Branch, Community, Contract and Aboriginal Policing Services Directorate, Ottawa: 2003, Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Available on the Internet at: www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ccaps/research_eval_e.htm.
11. W. Deisman, CCTV: Literature Review and Bibliography, Research and Evaluation Branch, Community, Contract and Aboriginal Policing Services Directorate, Ottawa: 2003, Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Available on the Internet at: www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ccaps/research_eval_e.htm.
12. S. Kerr, Violent Incident Reports: An Analysis 1997-2001 Inclusive, Research and Evaluation Branch, Community, Contract and Aboriginal Policing Services Directorate, Ottawa: 2002, Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Available on the Internet at: www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ccaps/research_eval_e.htm.
13. M. E. LeBeuf and S. Paré, The Sharing of Information Among Canadian Police Departments - Current State of Knowledge, Research and Evaluation Branch, Community, Contract and Aboriginal Policing Services Directorate, Ottawa: 2003, Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Available on the Internet at: www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ccaps/research_eval_e.htm.
14. M. E. LeBeuf, S. Paré, M. Belzile, Canadian Police Information Technologies: Current Overview. Ottawa: 2000, Canadian Police College. Available at : www.cpc.gc.ca.
15. Available at: www.cacp.ca.
16. J. Chatterjee and S. Kerr, Problems and Problem Solving in PEI Schools: Data Analysis, Research and Evaluation Branch, Community, Contract and Aboriginal Policing Services Directorate, Ottawa: 2002, Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Available on the Internet at: www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ccaps/research_eval_e.htm ; J. Chatterjee, A Report on the Evaluation of RCMP Restorative Justice Initiative: Community Justice Forum as seen by Participants, Research and Evaluation Branch, Community, Contract and Aboriginal Policing Services Directorate, Ottawa: 1999, Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Available on the Internet at: www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ccaps/research_eval_e.htm.
17. M. E. LeBeuf, On Organized crime and police cooperation in the European Union- lessons learned, Interview with Professor Cyrille Fijnaut. Research and Evaluation Branch, Community, Contract and Aboriginal Policing Services Directorate, Ottawa: 2002, Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Available on the Internet at: www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ccaps/research_eval_e.htm.
18. Beals, Lalonde and associates, Report on the Delphi Panel on Operational Definitions for the Data Collection on Organized Crime. The project was developed by the Department of the Solicitor General in support of the National Agenda to Combat Organized Crime endorsed by the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Working Group on Organized Crime Research and Analysis, Ottawa: 2002, Solicitor General Canada.