The RCMP and the City of Campbell River run a number of programs focused on safety and justice in the Campbell River.
Restorative Justice
As part of the RCMP’s commitment to community policing service delivery, the Campbell River RCMP actively utilizes Restorative Justice as an alternative to the traditional criminal justice system. Restorative Justice is not a singular practice, but a framework guided by key principles, which include:
- Engaging victims, offenders, and the community in the justice process
- Recognizing crime as harm caused to people, rather than solely a violation of law
- Prioritizing flexible, forward-thinking approaches to accountability and resolution
Restorative Justice Forums bring together those who have been affected by an incident and enable them to discuss its impact. Although Restorative Justice is not about punishment, it does strive for a meaningful resolution that is agreeable to all.
Offenders must take full responsibility for their actions. They must hear how their behaviour has affected the victim. Victims have the opportunity to express their experiences and witness genuine accountability. These conversations are often challenging and emotional, which is why a neutral, trained facilitator guides the discussion to promote fairness and support for all participants. The goal is to foster understanding, closure, and reintegration into the community.
Eligibility for Restorative Justice Program
Not all cases qualify for Restorative Justice. Strict criteria must be met before a case can proceed. The following conditions must be met before an offender can be considered for the process:
- The offender must take responsibility for their actions and participate voluntarily..
- Victim involvement is a key component of the process, and their input is prioritized in determining whether it moves forward.
- Cases are referred by the RCMP or Crown prosecutors.
- The facilitator must determine that the case is appropriate for a Community Justice Forum (CJF).
Benefits of a Restorative Justice Program
- Cost effective
- Quicker than court system
- Outcome determined by those directly impacted
- Offender gains a deeper understanding of the harm they caused
- Provides victims with a voice and an opportunity for closure
- Helps repair relationships and rebuild trust within the community
- Accountability, healing, and resolution
For more information about Restorative Justice or other Community Policing programs, please contact the Campbell River RCMP at (250) 286-5666.
First Nation Policing
See the following links for further information regarding First Nation Policing:
School Liaison
The Campbell River RCMP builds relationships with students, staff, and parents to promote safety, wellbeing, and crime prevention. The RCMP School Liaison Officer is the primary DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) instructor for the school district, teaching Drug Abuse Resistance Education primarily to middle school students.
For more information about DARE, go to the DARE BC website or the National DARE website.
Auxiliary Program
The RCMP Auxiliary Program strengthens community and police partnerships by providing trained volunteers with the opportunity to perform a variety of authorized activities that enhance community policing and crime prevention initiatives. If you would like more information on volunteering for this program in Campbell RRiver,please call the detachment at 250-286-6221 for more information.
Citizens on Patrol
Citizens on Patrol are a local community volunteer organization that works under the Community Policing umbrella controlled by our local RCMP Detachment. The group is made up entirely of Campbell River citizens who are concerned about reducing crime in our community and have at least four hours per month of spare time to donate.
Requirements to volunteer include:
- be a minimum 19 years of age
- pass RCMP screening
- be of good character
- be a resident within Campbell River RCMP patrol area
- be willing to abide by established procedures
Night Patrols
The primary focus of Citizens on Patrol is to work as extra eyes and ears in a passive observe and report role for the RCMP. Teams go out on various nights of the week with partners and patrol our community looking for and reporting suspicious activity. This patrol is generally the minimum volunteer requirement for the program.
Lock It Or Lose It
This program normally runs during the day in shopping mall parking lots. Volunteers patrol the area on foot and check vehicles for unlocked doors, open windows or visible valuables. They issue notices, not violation tickets, to the owners advising them they are at risk of theft.
Child Find
Child Find is a popular booth at special community events such as the Children's Fair. Citizens on Patrol volunteers fingerprint and photograph children and record the data in a book that is then given to the parents. In the unlikely event that the child goes missing, the parents have the necessary information on their child to give to the police.
Road Safety
Our volunteers set up monitoring vehicle speeds utilizing radar and displaying the information on illuminated display boards. This information acts as a means of confirming good driving habits, while also providing a wake up call to those who exceed posted limits. Volunteers also conduct seat belt, distracted driving, and intersection safety checks whereby they monitor major intersections for dangerous driving.
Victim Services
In partnership with the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, the City of Campbell River offers police-based victim services to individuals affected by crime, tragedy, or trauma. Dedicated staff provide both practical and emotional support, which may include advocacy, resources, and referrals, as well as assistance navigating the criminal justice process. 24/7 on-call support is available for emergency trauma response, working alongside RCMP officers to provide immediate assistance to victims of crime.
For more information on the Victim Services Program, call (250) 286-5606.
Block Watch
Block Watch is an inclusive, community-based program that connects neighbours, builds relationships and contributes to the safety and well-being of Campbell River. Participating in Block Watch involves being alert to your surroundings, talking to your neighbours, being aware of local crime trends and learning current crime prevention techniques from your local RCMP.
For more information on Block Watch, contact CR.Community.Policing@RCMP-grc.gc.ca.
Crime Stoppers
Crime Stoppers is a non-profit society that has operated in Campbell River since 1990 and helped keep the community safe. The Crime Stoppers team handles anonymous tips and rewards. By providing tips, residents can help law enforcement solve cases and prevent crime. Tipsters may be eligible for cash rewards if their information leads to an arrest or charge. This program has a volunteer Board of Directors to solicit donations, handle corporate and personal memberships, attend community events, and assist with public engagement.
To submit a tip, call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
For more information, visit BC Crime Stoppers.