The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has made another move to improve efficiency within one of the largest deployed police services in North America.
This week the OPP unveils a new online reporting system that will enable the public to report specific occurrences from a computer. Citizen Self Reporting will offer the public another way to report select incidents which are not an emergency, by completing a report online at their convenience.
The OPP is one of several Ontario police services who have adopted an internet-based crime reporting system where people can report certain crimes such as lost property, theft from vehicles, and property damage, without an officer having to be dispatched. Only occurrences that do not involve an injury, a suspect or evidence are applicable. An officer will attend if requested by the complainant.
It is expected that Citizen Self Reporting will be beneficial to both the public and the police. It will provide a convenient alternative to the citizens of Ontario, while allowing frontline officers to focus their efforts on other enforcement and crime prevention strategies within our communities.
By providing people with another option for reporting crimes, the OPP is hopeful that more incidents will be reported, resulting in the collection of information to develop future crime prevention initiatives.
To access the system, go to opp.ca. The OPP can be contacted toll free anytime at 1-888-310-1122.
