March 27, 2008 - 8:00am
In an effort to identify how Nanaimo residents feel about their personal safety and policing services in general, the Nanaimo RCMP has asked the Malaspina University-College Criminology department to conduct a public satisfaction survey.
Survey responses will help theRCMP’s strategic planning process and assist in improving police services in Nanaimo. The survey is voluntary and all responses will remain anonymous.
A total of 1200 surveys were mailed out in February to a random selection of citizens in the Regional District of Nanaimo.
“The survey included a return envelope with prepaid postage, so we’re asking residents to return them as soon as possible,” said Lisette Patenaude, a Criminology professor at Malaspina. "Originally we asked for responses by March 7, but we've extended the deadline to April 14," she added. "The more responses we receive, the better. We want the results to truly reflect community views towards policing."
The survey asks residents how safe they feel in Nanaimo, what perceptions they have about the RCMP, and whether any contact with the detachment was a positive or negative experience.
“It’s great value and very worthwhile for us to have our local university-college involved in a project to determine the level of public satisfaction about how Nanaimo residents view the RCMP in general,” said Corporal Dave Boyce.
Patenaude said about 10 Criminology students will help tabulate the survey results. “It’s great experience for our undergraduate students," she said. "This type of hands-on research will look great on their resumes.”
Dr. Anne Leavitt, Dean of Social Sciences at Malaspina, said the project is a perfect example of the type of community based research Malaspina strives to support.
“There’s a mutual benefit,” said Leavitt. “Students learn about research and community process, while organizations such as the RCMP benefit by utilizing the expertise at Malaspina and having their key research questions answered.”
In the future, Leavitt hopes to see a community based research institute established at Malaspina. Such an institute would provide “a one-stop service for organizations, agencies and community groups looking for research assistance.”
Boyce added that the Nanaimo RCMP want to emphasize the independence of Malaspina University-College in conducting the public satisfaction survey.
Malaspina’s Criminology department plans to post the survey results on their website by June 16 at viu.ca/criminology for public review.
For more information about the survey, contact Professor Lisette Patenaude at (250) 753-3245, local 2240.
Tags: In the Community
