Speaker:  Chief Constable Roger Chaffin

Posted by David Holden
 
Chief Constable Roger ChaffinOur speaker was introduced by Madeleine King, former Police Commissioner.  Madeleine spoke about the broad challenges faced by police today and the community policing initiatives being used to help our city.  Chief Constable joined the Calgary Police Services in 1986 and assumed the role of Chief Constable in October of 2015.  Madeleine also described some of Chief Chaffin’s accomplishments and awards.
 
After not implicating our member, George Brookman, in any shenanigans Chief Constable Chaffin did suggest that they had spent some time together in Mexico.  No further details were revealed and there was no confirmation nor denials as to whether or not the four way test was used as a moral compass.  Chief Constable Chaffin then moved on to the challenges of policing in a big city.  He spoke about community hubs, part of community policing, and the value associated in crime prevention.
 
Community Policing was first used in the mid-1970s and Calgary was one of the first to do so.  Its underlying philosophy is that root problems cannot be dealt with arresting your way through an issue and the police have to work with the community to try to get to the solution of that root long term problem.
 
Policing is not just about enforcement but is a sign of a healthy community where families and kids have opportunities to grow.
 
CPS has lots of youth programming with the idea of first interacting with families and youth before they become criminals by understanding their situation (challenges and problems) and bringing together the kind of resources needed. Calgary is a leading example of community policing and community integration in North America.
 
The idea of hubs is to try to provide solutions to issues such as addiction to try to deal with the complexity and dysfunction of modern society.
 
One described program was about a partnership with school boards and community health groups to try to help at risk kids between 5 years old and 12 year old.  Anecdotally the trends appear to be downward on issues of bad behaviour and other metrics.  Overall trying to reduce problems at problem school by focusing combined services to deal with factors that may be marginalizing certain areas, either economically or for other reasons.  This includes assisting with physical education, meal services, after school programs all to try to allow more chance kids will be able to develop normal experiences in a safe environment.
 
Social return on investment shown to be more than $6 for every $1 spent.  More than $1.25 million is spent annually on these types of initiatives.
 
Targeting enhanced attitude towards police so the community has a healthy attitude about respect for governance, community and civility for a healthy community.
 
There were five or six interesting questions which allowed Chief Constable Chaffin to further describe the city and the police from his perspective.
 
Howie Shikaze, as chair of the Police Services Commission, thanked our speaker with a certificate outlining ongoing commitment to CAWST as well as provided Chief Constable Chaffin with the Rotary 100th anniversary book.