The New Westminster Police Board is looking to revamp its governance manual.
At its June meeting, the police board approved a recommendation from Chief Const. Dave Jansen to engage a governance consultant to lead a review, analysis and amendment of the board’s governance manual. The board also approved the establishment of a governance committee, comprised of board members with a NWPD representative, to oversee the review and amendment process, using the expertise of external experts to ensure a “robust and well-rounded manual.”
“In a society that values the role of the police and seeks transparency in their interactions and functioning within communities, the presence of an independent civilian oversight body is crucial,” said a report to the police board. “A comprehensive, well-crafted governance manual plays a vital role in supporting the board’s important function and allows both the police and the community to understand the expected policies, financing and oversight.”
The report stated a member of the board had developed a governance manual for the board in early 2012, but there’s been no substantial review or amendments to the manual since that time.
According to the report, the current manual cover many necessary areas, but it has gaps and requires updates in several “crucial” areas. Some of the items deemed to be missing from the board’s current manual include a statement on diversity and equity, board composition and succession planning, and descriptions of the board members, chief constable, chair and vice-chair.
Jansen told the police board he undertook a thorough review of the current manual and looked at some other police board governance manuals, as part of workshop he’d planned for the board. He said his review of the current manual “revealed shortcomings” and identified the need for a comprehensive re-evaluation and update.
“This manual plays a crucial role in supporting the work of an independent civilian oversight body overseeing the interaction between the police and the community that we serve,” he said.
Jansen said a committee comprised by police board members, supported by staff, would oversee the review and engage with a governance consultant to guide and assist in the development of a high-quality manual.
In his report to the board, Jansen said having NWPD staff solely be responsible for the review and alteration to the manual “is not the most desirable solution” as it could create a potential conflict of interest as employees would be writing rules for their employer.
Mayor Patrick Johnstone, chair of the police board, said the recommendation is timely as several of the new police board members have recently gone through provincial training for police boards. He said that training emphasized the governance manual is where changes to the organization should be made.
Police board member Patrick Lalonde said he’s highly supportive of having a governance consultant coming on board for what could be an “extensive” overhaul of the current manual.
“It is a daunting task otherwise,” Lalonde said. “Yeah, it’s going to cost a little bit of money. But I think that’s the best way forward to accomplish this, because there’s a lot that needs to be overhauled here.”
