The Board of Directors of the Manitoba Citizens on Patrol Program is sending this communique to our membership and key stakeholders as an update on progress with implementation of the Strategic Plan briefed at the 2024 AGM, and as we prepare to start Fiscal Year 2025/26.
As an incorporated not-for-profit organisation, the provincial board manages the brand, deciding where and how the logo is used, governing the policies, parameters, and activities taken on by Groups, endorsement of new Groups, and providing equipment and training for group members.
Manitoba COPP currently has 38 Groups operating across the province. Varying in size and activity levels, this represents about 400 members conducting patrols in their respective communities. We recognise this remains down from pre-pandemic numbers and our focus must be on dealing with sustainment and rebuilding challenges faced by our program. The priorities therein include; initiating a training program for Group Coordinators and program leaders, pursuing new ways and means for central advertising and publicity, enhancing our on-line capacity, and revising budget allocations to better serve the COPP Groups making a difference in their communities. This has been enabled by the Directors within the volunteer board taking on all administrative responsibilities involved in the day-to-day running of the business. The administrative services contract wrapped up at the end of January and has been replaced by contracted services for central accounting only. The primary contact for Manitoba COPP remains the email address: admin@citizensonpatrolmb.ca which is also monitored by board members.
The MB COPP Board has also made efforts to renew our ties with the Canadian Citizens On Patrol Association, including participation at their February quarterly meeting. As a founding member of CCOPA, Manitoba was quickly welcomed back to the national forum. Many of the challenges we face provincially are current themes around the national table as well, with ideas and solutions being generated by our peers across the country.
The major funding source for the Provincial program remains Manitoba’s Department of Justice, with an additional contribution in 2024 from the “Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund” through the Manitoba Association of Chiefs of Police. It is only through the resources provided by the Provincial government, and police organisations that the COPP BOD has been able to support Groups in delivering education, awareness and crime deterrence to communities across the province.
In closing, we wish to thank all our stakeholders and members for their contributions, past and present. As the MB COPP BOD works through this transition we look forward to continued engagement and communication with all of you as we enhance our program province wide.