Memorandum of Understanding for Homicide Investigations (Details)

Name of province/ territory:

British Columbia

City/ Region:

Oak Bay

Description of Initiative:

The Oak Bay Police Department has an agreement with Saanich Police Department whereby the Saanich Police Department investigates any homicides that occur in Oak Bay.

Initiative Key Objectives:

The key objectives are for Saanich police to be responsible for the investigation and the cost of the investigation of any homicides that occur in Oak Bay. This is to provide certainty around costs/resources and ensure that those trained in homicide investigation perform homicide investigations.

Section Responsible for Implementation:

Chief’s Office

Key Contact:

Mark Fisher
mfisher@oakbaypolice.org

Groups/ Agencies/ Key Partners Involved:

  • other police services

Level of Involvement (consultative - information sharing) and/or cooperative - direct involvement):

The level of involvement is cooperative as we developed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) together with Saanich (and a lawyer).

Amount of Time Initiative has been in Place:

The initiative has been in place since 2009-2010.

Reason for Undertaking the Initiative:

This initiative was undertaken to provide cost containment on major investigations. It also allows Oak Bay to have investigators who are current with the required skill set and best practices performing homicide investigations. The challenge in a smaller detachment is keeping a person trained and keeping that person's skills sharp, as we don’t get many homicides. When they do occur, it can cost over a million dollars to perform an investigation. The initiative also provides predictability for the police board and municipal budget.

Resources Required to Implement this Initiative:

There were no significant start-up costs, just the annual cost of $80,000 for the MOU. This is a fixed cost per year, whether there are no homicides or multiple homicides.

Method of Implementation:

The initiative was implemented by developing the agreement. The first agreement was for three or four years and it was just renewed.

Key Outcomes of the Initiative:

The key outcomes of this initiative are the predictability of costs / cost containment of homicide investigations and the application of best practices in homicide investigations. The initiative did meet objectives as it provides certainty regarding costs, allowing for cost containment, it provides professional investigators, and, in the event of a homicide, Oak Bay still has adequate staff and resources to perform day-to-day policing in Oak Bay.

Availability of a Communication Strategy:

Yes

Key Messages used to Publicize the Initiative:

The key messages are the same as the objective—cost containment and professionalism in the investigation.

Forms of Evaluation by which the Initiative will be Assessed:

  • formative
  • internal
  • quantitative
  • qualitative

Evaluation Completed or Community Feedback Received:

Yes

Summary of the Outcomes:

We found the initiative to be efficient and effective. It is meeting its objectives so we decided to renew the MOU for another term.

Summary of the Performance Measure Data Collected:

N/A

Economics of Policing Pillars:

Further Details:

N/A

Additional Comments or Suggestions:

N/A

Record Entry Date:

2013-08-01

Date modified: