WRPS Launches Stratified Policing Model Aimed at Reducing Crime and Enhancing Accountability

Media Release

Waterloo Region, Ontario – The Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) is proud to announce the launch of its Stratified Policing Model, a pioneering approach to proactive evidence-based crime reduction and enhanced accountability.

This innovative approach - the first of its kind to be adopted by a police Service in Canada - represents a significant step forward in WRPS’ ongoing commitment to ensuring public safety and upholding community trust and confidence.

In partnership with the co-creators of Stratified Policing, Dr. Roberto Santos and Dr. Rachel Santos of Radford University (Radford, Virginia, USA), WRPS is implementing this crime reduction business model designed to address victimization in a comprehensive, strategic manner.

“Stratified Policing focuses on proactive, evidence-based strategies proven to reduce victimization in the short and long term,” said Dr. Roberto Santos. “We are excited to be part of this forward-thinking initiative, which will be an outstanding example of proactive, accountable, and effective policing in Canada.”

Stratified Policing is a structured, evidence-based approach that focuses on identifying and developing tailored responses for locations with high levels of victimization, for chronic offenders, and for the most serious crimes.

“Our primary goal is to reduce crime and victimization while also increasing accountability throughout our organization,” said Mark Crowell, Chief of Police. “By adopting the Stratified Policing Model, we are taking a comprehensive, multi-layered approach to policing, which involves addressing immediate crime issues and setting long-term goals for crime reduction, ensuring that our resources are deployed where they are needed most.”

Strategic Approach and Goals

In 2022, WRPS began developing its Crime Suppression Strategy to address rising crime rates in Waterloo Region. Specific crime reduction goals in three priority areas were identified through an in-depth analysis of crime trends, citizen feedback, and Service data. These priority areas were:

  1. Gun Violence
  2. Robberies
  3. Break-and-Enters

Following the success of a 5% decrease in these incident types in 2023, WRPS maintained the same priority areas and committed to working towards a 10% reduction in 2024.

Building on the Crime Suppression Strategy’s foundation, in 2024, WRPS partnered with Dr. Roberto and Rachel Santos to implement the Stratified Policing Model to address immediate, short-term, and long-term crime and disorder issues and incorporate a stratified system of accountability at every level of the Service. The Model, tailored for WRPS, focuses on realigning resources and enhancing operational flexibility to respond to emerging crime patterns and trends. As part of this, WRPS has conducted a thorough review of its current structure, identifying opportunities for realignment and system enhancements that will improve the overall efficiency of its operations.

“By working with Dr. Roberto and Dr. Rachel Santos, who have extensive experience implementing successful crime reduction strategies in other cities, we are confident that this model will help us achieve sustainable results,” said Jen Davis, Deputy Chief of Neighbourhood Policing and Investigations. “This is not just about responding to crime; it’s about creating a systematic approach that can be sustained over time, with measurable impacts.”

View the Stratified Policing Model and Crime Suppression presentation.

Media Inquiries: 
Waterloo Regional Police Service
Public Information Unit
519-570-9777 (WRPS) ext. 8188
publicinfo@wrps.on.ca

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