Violent Crime Linkage Analysis System Policy (Details)

Name of province/ territory:

Manitoba

City/ Region:

Winnipeg

Description of Initiative:

The Violent Crime Linkage Analysis System (ViCLAS) is a National Intelligence system utilized for tracking and linking sexual assaults and homicides. The goal of the initiative was to eliminate the labor-intensive task of completing ViCLAS booklets for police members, while increasing the accuracy and reliability of the database.

Background information on ViCLAS:

ViCLAS is a national RCMP computerized system that stores information on specified violent and/or interpersonal crimes. It is a system that allows specially trained investigators to monitor, analyze and compare known and unknown offenders. It assists police in identifying links between crimes and identifying serial crimes and criminals by focusing on the linkages that exist among crimes committed by the same offender. The system is used Canada-wide as well as in one state in the USA and in nine other countries. Essentially, it is a central searchable repository to capture, collate and compare violent crimes. Police services across Canada contribute to ViCLAS by submitting information about the violent crime investigations undertaken in their jurisdictions. Although all Canadian police services contribute information to ViCLAS, only the ViCLAS specialists analyze and interpret the information in the system to find patterns and linkages in the reports of violent crime. For more information see "Further Details" below.

Initiative Key Objectives:

The initiative's objective is to increase the accuracy of ViCLAS submissions, as well as the efficiency and reliability of the database.

Section Responsible for Implementation:

ViCLAS—Division #41 Criminal Investigation Bureau

Key Contact:

Christina Miller/Christine Kun
Cmiller@winnipeg.ca/Ckun@winnipeg.ca

Groups/ Agencies/ Key Partners Involved:

  • other police services
  • RCMP

Level of Involvement (consultative - information sharing) and/or cooperative - direct involvement):

ViCLAS is a national program involving province-wide units that integrate municpal police departments and RCMP members.

Amount of Time Initiative has been in Place:

The pilot project was initiated in 2009. The policy was formally put in place for the service in Fall 2011.

Reason for Undertaking the Initiative:

The initiative was a result of low compliance rates and a lack of buy-in for the program
within Winnipeg.

Resources Required to Implement this Initiative:

There were no additional costs as a result of this program. No new software was required. No new staff has been added during this process.

Staff shortages have at times been supplemented by operational members who are medically restricted while returning to full duty. These people are assigned to desk duty, and have ViCLAS experience. They are directed and supervised by the ViCLAS personnel already in place.

Method of Implementation:

Initially the sex crimes units were using the new program, as they were completing the
majority of the ViCLAS booklets. Due to the positive results and increase in compliance
rates, the pilot was taken service-wide.

Key Outcomes of the Initiative:

The new ViCLAS policy has increased compliance from approximately 30% to 100%. The
submissions are more accurate and the need for quality control has decreased.

Since the implementation of the process, information captured on the ViCLAS database has become more reliable. Data submissions are timely and more accurate when being completed by the ViCLAS Centre, as the ViCLAS system has been in place for some time in Manitoba and therefore the corporate knowledge has increased, which results in more reliable data and links.

Availability of a Communication Strategy:

Yes

Key Messages used to Publicize the Initiative:

A routine order was disseminated service-wide, and all investigative units/members
were provided with a face-to-face consultation to ensure understanding and compliance. As
well, the servies reading unit was included in the process to ensure that 100% of applicable violent crimes were being entered onto the database.

Forms of Evaluation by which the Initiative will be Assessed:

  • internal
  • other: user surveys

Evaluation Completed or Community Feedback Received:

No

Summary of the Outcomes:

The process and progress are tracked internally daily by the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) ViCLAS Specialist. This process has not been released to the community.

Summary of the Performance Measure Data Collected:

N/A

Economics of Policing Pillars:

Further Details:

This initiative reduces the reporting time involved for all members investigating a sexual
assault or homicide from apporximately one hour to a matter of seconds, by having the officers
send an online task to the ViCLAS centre. By utilizing the WPS online tasking system
(enhanced use of technology) the unit was able to eliminate hard copy books and
increase officer compliance with the reporting system. Winnipeg has a more
reliable intelligence database, as a direct result of the increased compliance.

Additional Comments or Suggestions:

When ViCLAS reportable offences occur, investigators complete the ViCLAS booklet. Regardless of the nature of the investigation, investigators may submit the case to ViCLAS using a ViCLAS booklet if they have reason to believe that the offender involved (known or unknown) may have been responsible for other violent crimes or has the potential to offend/re-offend. This information is then sent into the unit and is entered into the ViCLAS database. Most booklets are now completed and received electronically to ensure consistency and accuracy.

What is a ViCLAS booklet?

A ViCLAS booklet is a paper or electronic booklet that is filled out at the detachment by the investigator. The electronic format can only be completed by the RCMP, and can be sent electronically to the ViCLAS centre. The data can then be directly imported into ViCLAS. Other police agencies utilize the paper format.

How exactly does ViCLAS work?

When a serious crime occurs that qualifies as a ViCLAS reportable case, an investigator completes the questionnaire/booklet. The booklet is then sent to the ViCLAS centre responsible for the area in which the offence is reported. The booklet then undergoes a quality control review, and some centres actually perform this twice. If the booklet does not pass the quality control review, the investigator may be contacted directly to clear up some minor points or the booklet may be returned to the originator to be resubmitted when completed correctly.

Once the booklet has been entered into the system, the ViCLAS specialist begins the analytical process. This involves conducting extensive background research on both the victim and the offender (if the latter is known). A typical analysis will involve the specialist reviewing all data that was available on the subject(s), including information from computerized police information retrieval systems and any other reliable information source. The specialist will review all statements, reports and photographs available and in some cases speak to investigators.

Record Entry Date:

2013-08-01

Date modified: