The Community Policing Advisory Council, (CPAC), originally began as an umbrella organization of 134 Community Policing Committee’s representing 1,300 community volunteers throughout Eastern and Central Ontario and 75 Community Policing Offices.  After hosting a highly successful Community Policing Conference in the summer of 1994, the CPAC executive board, together with a broad range of other social service providers participating in the conference (Regional Coroners, Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Health, municipal police forces, emergency health services, RCMP victim crisis referral services) recognized the commonality of purpose of their respective organizations.  The decision was made to incorporate under the auspices of CPAC, a not-for-profit charitable organization. CPAC’s membership included individuals and committees set up by the other social services providers involved in community health, security, safety, poverty and educational issues....in short Community Wellness. Ideally CPAC is an independent, community driven organization with a balanced membership.

In January 1998, the enactment of legislation in Ontario resulted in the  formation of “Community Policing Advisory Committees” as police governance watchdogs…these are not connected with CPAC of Ontario. Much confusion has resulted due to the acronym “CPAC” also being used for these groups as well. Our “CPAC” acronym was registered at the time of Incorporation in 1995.  Subsequently, we have added “of Ontario” to our name in hopes of addressing the difference.  

CPAC Objectives of Incorporation

The objects for which CPAC was incorporated as outlined in the articles of incorporation are:

• To function as a coordinating body for Community Policing in Ontario.

• To promote and foster the growth of community policing throughout Ontario.

• To sponsor community policing events.

• To conduct research and investigation into social sector issues.

• To render assistance to governments by supplying the results of research conducted under the auspices of the Corporation.

• To coordinate the activities of the Corporation and community policing committees with those of other organizations, societies and individuals in the community with similar interest, goals and objectives.

• To provide a forum for the discussion of social sector issues, and to coordinate efforts to bring the concerns of communities to the attention of elected officials and other authorities.

• To engage in other complementary activities not inconsistent with these objectives.

 The success of the first conference and the input of those attending suggested the creation of this community-based organization that would continue to bring together the stakeholders in community policing.  Although the founding members of CPAC were mainly those who had served on the organizing committee of the Kingston Conference, others soon joined, based on their interests in community policing.  A major question facing CPAC has always been, how can CPAC achieve systematic representation throughout Ontario?

 Fundamental to CPAC and its mandate, is the principle that both police officers and civilians are members of a common community.  It was anticipated that CPAC could provide a voice for the community in matters pertaining to policing in Ontario.  In a partnership, such as is enshrined in the concept of community policing, the partners must approach their common concerns as equals.  CPAC has encouraged  representation from the Ontario Associations of Chiefs of Police, the Ontario Provincial Police Community Policing Development Center and the Policing Services Division of the Ministry of the Solicitor General. This has provided some excellent linkages for CPAC at the provincial level.

 CPAC has sponsored several grant programs for numerous community groups throughout the province of Ontario.  Funding for these grants was provided as a result of past corporate sponsorship of CPAC.   The grant program was one way to support the objective of fostering the growth of community policing throughout Ontario. 

 CPAC continued to offer annual conferences on community policing.  Successful conferences have been held in 1995, 1996 and 1997, with approximately 300 registrants at each.  The Conferences attracted widespread interest throughout the Province and prompted requests from various community policing committees and police services to participate in CPAC.  As a result, other organizations and interested groups have organized several conferences since 1997 in Northern Ontario, Halton Region and South Western Ontario. These conferences are being organized by groups associated in some degree with CPAC and often receive some sponsorship funding from CPAC.  This interest in conferences is one of CPAC’s greatest successes.

 As an organization CPAC must build on past successes and consolidate existing strengths in order to grow and maintain its momentum.  Strategic directions must be firmly based on a common vision for the future but be guided by past experience.  CPAC’s  long term goals must recognize immediate challenges but never be obscured by them.  We must remain responsive to individual community needs while maintaining a clearly articulated organizational focus.  Finally, we must never forget that all strength and influence is gained for CPAC from our collective member communities. CPAC must develop a strategic direction to simultaneously accomplish a number of goals.

Past CPAC Goals include:

• Focusing on community problems, not service provider problems.

• Expanding and strengthening multi-sectoral partnerships.

• Developing a strong advocacy voice that reflects collective community needs.

• Developing technological solutions to information and communications needs.

• Provision of financial resources to implement community defined solutions.

• Provision of educational resources to community members and their leaders.

• Provision of technical resources to community project leaders.

• Develop community information and network linkages.

• Develop and maintain regional, provincial, national and international linkages.

• Market Community (Wellness) as a social, political and community responsibility.

In its vision, CPAC has long recognized the diversity among the many existing community policing groups in Ontario.  Nothing in its mandate suggests otherwise.  As new community groups emerge, CPAC has the opportunity to provide a forum for communication and the exchange of information that will enable these groups to organize in ways that can be adapted to local needs.

Through these means, CPAC will truly be the “Voice of the Community” in community policing throughout Ontario.