Report to the Niagara Regional Police Services Board
Permission for the Mounted Officers to Accept Funding from the FNMP

The following text contains the contents of the initial proposal to Niagara Regional Police's (NRP) Police Service Board (PSB) to allow mounted officers to accept funds raised by the FNMP.

It was submitted on October 20, 2003.

INTRODUCTION
The mounted officers of the NRPS have experienced a very successful first season, having attended numerous parades, ceremonies, and charity functions. The response from the public has been overwhelmingly positive. The high profile of the mounted officers has garnered much attention from citizens and the media. Whether riding in a parade or out on a training day, people crowd around the officers to pet the horses and meet the new NRPS "mounties".
With the knowledge that the mounted officers operate as a part-time, non-budgeted entity, a citizen support group has formed to support the officers due to their non-funded status. They are the Friends of Niagara's Mounted Police. This group wishes to assist the mounted officers by managing any sponsorship that may come from outside sources for special equipment and to offset some operating costs.

This report will outline the intent of this group to support the mounted officer project, and the circumstances under which the NRPS would accept their charity. Particular attention is made to the criteria of the PSB bylaws as they relate to this arrangement. It assures that nothing the Friends of Niagara's Mounted Police plans to do will violate any PSB bylaw. Operations of the FNMP will be carefully tailored to comply with the PSB bylaws, and ensure impartiality and an "arm's-length" relationship between the FNMP and the NRPS.

A Successful First Season for the Mounted Officers
With Police Service Board approval, the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) introduced mounted officers to its ceremonial Colour Guard in the Spring of 2003. The officers were created as an extension of the NRP Colour Guard, and currently attend parades, ceremonies, and other special events. The mounted officer project has met with huge success - members of the public have repeatedly shown delight at the sight of the mounted officers and horses.

The idea was soundly based on the premise that the Niagara Region is the perfect venue for mounted police officers. With a peninsula full of tourist attractions, parks, and an ever-growing list of festivals and parades, it figured that the region's citizens and visitors would benefit immensely from a mounted police presence. When added to the Colour Guard, the mounted officers add a new and exciting element to NRPS presence at parades and ceremonies.

The NRPS has always been proud of its ability to offer a versatile range of police services, and the mounted officers carry on this commitment through friendly, traditional-style community policing combined with high police visibility.

Mounted Operations Not Funded by Police Budget
As per the arrangement between the NRPS and the PSB, the mounted police officers are not funded with tax dollars. Instead, the officers volunteer their time and their horses to bring mounted police to the Niagara Region. They do so gladly, and consider this part of their commitment to community involvement. They train during off-duty hours, and use a combination of issued police equipment and other special equipment purchased by the officers themselves.

Equipment Used by the Mounted Officers
The mounted officers currently function with some articles of issued equipment (standard police tunic, hat, belt, cross-straps, and shirt) in addition to several pieces of special riding equipment, such as riding boots, breeches, and gauntlets that the officers have purchased themselves. For the horses, the officers have prepared special bridles and breast collars that are decorated with the NRPS badge. All other tack (reigns, bits, saddles, girths) are used items provided by the officers from their personal kit.

With this equipment, some of it police-issue but most of it officer-owned, the mounted officers are able to present themselves in an extremely professional manner. The officers and their horses rival the appearance of any mounted unit, and are proud to represent the Niagara Regional Police Service in the best way.

Equipment for the Future
Yet there remains many other special uniform and equipment pieces that would enhance the functionality and appearance of the mounted officers. Examples include winter greatcoats for cold weather and special riding "slickers" for rainy weather. Although the horses are ridden with officer-owned Western-style saddles, an English-style saddle would be more appropriate for parades and formal occasions. Saddle stands would be useful when the officers arrive at the event site (they currently lay their saddles on the ground) and the horses do not have warming blankets for cold weather transit. New reigns are needed, and the horses and riders should acquire safety lights for the low-light riding that will occur during evening Santa Claus Parades. The horse-grooming kits with their various combs, curry-brushes, hoof picks, and other accoutrements, are also due for replacement.

Further, there are currently only two mounted officers; there is no alternate rider for the times one officer may not be available. Many other NRP officers have expressed an intense interest in participating in the program, and are more than willing to offer their time to become a rider. Since mounted officers always appear in teams of two, the inability of one officer to attend an event results in the mounted officers canceling their attendance at an event altogether. A third alternate officer would be most beneficial. Yet bringing on even one more rider would require another entire set of boots, breaches, and other special equipment items.

Public Inquiries Into Supporting the Mounted Officers - As mentioned previously, the appearance of the NRPS mounted officers has generated much excitement and attention from the community. Response from the citizenry is almost overwhelming at times, as the mounted officers are greeted with enthusiastic response at every event they attend.

The officers have, on several occasions, been approached by members of the public inquiring about their non-funded status and how they or their community-service group could assist. Organizations such as the Lion's Club or Kinsmen, and even corporations, have funds specifically intended for community projects such as our mounted officers, and have directly inquired as to how then can get involved.

The Friends of Niagara's Mounted Police
After learning of the non-funded status of the NRP mounted officers, several members of the Upper Canada Equestrian Association (who often ride in the same parades as the NRP officers) formed a citizen support group that wishes to support the NRPS mounted officers. They call themselves the Friends of Niagara's Mounted Police (FNMP).

The motive of this group is not unlike the police canine Vest-a-Dog program, where volunteers from the community helped the NRP canine unit acquire special items for their operations - they are people who love animals and want to get involved with their local police. It is the purest example of a community and police partnership.

The hope of the FNMP is to support the NRP officers in their mounted endeavors by helping to raise the funds necessary for special equipment and some operating costs. This group consists of independent community-minded citizens, all of who are local horse-owners and strong supporters of the mounted police concept. They wish to commence operations in much the same way as the
Vest-a-Dog group did for our Canine Unit.

The Concept of Accepting Public Sponsorship
It is not uncommon for the police to accept special sponsorship for community programs that fall outside the realm of the "minimal adequate and effective policing".

Mounted units all over the continent have support groups working with them in the face of budgetary challenges. For example, the new Mounted Unit in Chatham-Kent was awarded a brand-new four-horse trailer by three of their local Tim Horton's stores as a show of support for community policing initiatives. Local business owners will often band together to assist a local mounted unit maintain operations in a city's core downtown operation, where the high profile and approachability of the mounted officers ensures a strong police presence.

For their part, the proposed purpose of FNMP is to manage any funds that may be donated to purchase equipment or services for the mounted officers.

Composition of the FNMP - The Friends of Niagara's Mounted Police support group has a board of four members, and is legally incorporated so that they may provide corporate sponsors with tax-deductible receipts. The FNMP is an "arms-length" body which does not consist of members of the Niagara Regional Police Service. They would handle all monies, and would disperse the funds for any equipment directly to the vendor, so the NRPS would not be in possession of the money, but would rather be the recipient of the goods.

To maintain impartiality, the mounted officers themselves are not members of the FNMP, but rather act as advisors to ensure that the activities of the group are consistent with the mandate of the NRPS, the mounted project itself, and any applicable Police Service Board bylaws. In compliance with PSB bylaws, the NRPS itself would never ask for funds. And, in further compliance of the by-law, no funding would be sought to perform "minimal policing levels" as defined by the Police Services Act.

A Friends of Niagara's Mounted Police website and email would be located on an outside server, separate from our own, to state the group's mission and goals.

PSB Bylaws As They Relate to the FNMP
There are two PSB bylaws that address the circumstances under which the NRPS can accept money, goods, or services from an outside source such as the FNMP. One is entitled Private Sector Funding, and the other is entitled Sponsorship. Both are very similar, and the arrangement between the FNMP and the NRPS could be considered affected by either. Each of these two bylaws will be addressed separately.

In addition, mention is made of three other bylaws that, although they have titles that imply relevance to this report, do not in fact apply to the situation. These are Community Policing Fundraising, Service Related Organizations, and Charitable Donations.

PSB By-law #179-99, entitled Sponsorships - The Sponsorships bylaw is the one that most directly applies to the situation. The definitions contained in this bylaw make it slightly more appropriate than the Private Sector Funding bylaw, which is worded in a way that limits itself to money, but not goods or services. A closer look at the definitions in the Sponsorships bylaw will confirm its relevance:

Definitions - In the Sponsorships bylaw, the definition of "sponsor" is the same as the definition as "donor" in the Private Sector Funding bylaw:

a private individual, or a corporation, partnership, club or other organization, whether for profit or not, which contributes money, goods, or services to the Service…

In this case, the FNMP would be the "sponsor" anytime it provides purchased goods or services to the NRPS. It is anticipated that any goods and services will be purchased directly by the FNMP, rather than through the NRPS.

The definition of a "qualified program" refers to:

a policing program which…is consistent with the Service's mission, values, and beliefs.

In this case, the mounted officers are considered the "qualified program", and their community appearances fall well within the criteria of this definition.

The definition of "qualified sponsor" as it applies to a group such as the FNMP means:

a sponsor whose marketing methods do not compromise the integrity, objectivity, or impartiality of the Service and its community partners, whose promotional material must be compatible with the Service's community policing message, whose present activities not be in conflict with those of the Service, and who is a good corporate citizen with good standing in the community and a reputation of integrity and ethical standing.

Although much of the above definition is tailored to apply to corporate sponsors, the FNMP board of three members also fits this criteria as upstanding, community-minded citizens who are volunteering their time to the benefit of the NRPS.

The definition of "sponsorship", as it relates to the FNMP, means:

a contribution of money, goods, or services to a qualified program by an organization, whether for profit or not, in exchange for the right to be associated with the Service…for a community policing purpose.

Restrictions - The bylaw contains restrictions on sponsorship, specifically that:

" no solicitation for any sponsorship is made by any Service member
" no offer of any sponsorship is accepted by any Service member
" no arrangement shall be entered into in which the Service endorses a product or service
" no arrangement shall be entered into that compromises the integrity, objectivity, or impartiality of the Service

When dealing with the public, the mounted officers never directly ask members of the public for sponsorship, but instead would direct inquiries to the FNMP. The FNMP operations are always arms-length from the NRPS, as they will maintain separate finances, website, and email. This will ensure complete impartiality, and will deflect any concern that the NRPS is directly soliciting sponsorship itself.

Reporting Sponsorships Not Exceeding $5,000.00
The bylaw states that the NRPS, as represented by the Chief, may accept offers of sponsorship without Police Service Board approval if the value does not exceed $5,000.00. Most sponsorships offerings will fall in this category. In the event a large offer of sponsorship of greater than $5,000 presents itself, a special board report will be submitted as required.

As per Article 7.0 of the bylaw, the commencement of sponsorship endeavors less than the $5,000.00 also does not require a Board report. However, this Board report has been prepared regardless, to keep the PSB abreast of the situation.

Annual Reporting Requirements
A summary of all sponsorship must be included in a yearly PSB report, including the activities of the FNMP. In addition to this, the mounted unit will submit a board report each year as to its own activities for the year. This will include a list of all events attended, and the total hours spent in community service. That report will be separate from the sponsorship report.

Approval Criteria for Sponsorships Exceeding $5,000 - As stated, no sponsorship in excess of $5,000 is anticipated in this early stage of the operation. However, in anticipation that it may be necessary in the future to obtain Board approval, the following criteria (as set out in Article 11.0) for the FNMP and mounted officer activities will be adhered to, namely, that:

Solicitations be in good taste - The FNMP will use a professionally laid out letterhead (sample attached), with a letter of introduction, a donor card, and an attractive pamphlet showing pictures of the mounted officers at various events. The NRPS logo will not appear on FNMP correspondence.

No solicitations to the public at large - FNMP solicitations will be directed specifically to service clubs (such as the Optimist's Club, Kinsmen, Lions Club, etc), relevant corporations in the Niagara Region (such as Horseworld, Tim Hortons, or the Niagara Credit Union) or elsewhere if the industry is relevant to the subject matter (such as Purina, Masterfeeds, or the Stüben Saddle Company).

The solicitation must relate to the specific program - All FNMP solicitations will clearly indicate that donations are to be used for mounted officer activities. A list of desired equipment (a wish list) will be available to potential donors who may wish to direct their donations to a specific aspect of the mounted officer program.

The solicitation must not involve an operational program - This criteria ensures that the Service does not use solicitation to provide the minimum "adequate and effective policing" levels required under the Police Services Act. At this time, the mounted officers are not functioning as an operational unit. They are simply providing volunteer community service, and as such, solicitation for their operation does not breach this criteria.

The solicitation must not compromise the integrity or impartiality of the Service - As stated, the FNMP does not contain members of the NRPS. Constables Lewis and Derksen only act as advisors to the FNMP board. Further, the FNMP constitution will state that the group will not attempt to interfere with or influence operations of the mounted officers, which remains the mandate of the NRPS. The FNMP is comprised of citizens in good standing, who will reflect the commitment and professionalism of the NRPS.

By-Law 180-99 - Private Sector Funding - This bylaw is very similar to the Sponsorship bylaw, and also has relevance to the activities of the FNMP.

In this bylaw, a "donor "is:

a private, individual, or a corporation, partnership, club or other organization, whether for profit or not, which contributes money, goods, or services to the Service…

As before, the FNMP is the donor.

In this bylaw, "Private Sector Funding" is defined as:

any money paid or proposed to be paid to the Service from any non-government source…

Oddly, this definition only refers to money, and not goods or services. This brings into question as to whether this bylaw applies to the situation at all, as the NRPS will not be receiving money, but rather goods (such as a saddle) or services (such as use of an indoor riding arena).

Section 4.1 of the Private Sector Funding bylaw stipulates that

no solicitation for Private Sector Funding is made by any Service Member.

As with the Sponsorship bylaw, the mounted officers never directly ask members of the public for sponsorship, but instead would direct inquiries to the FNMP

Section 6.1 states that the Chief may accept Private Sector Funding without Police Service Board approval if the value is less than $5,000. This is the same $5,000 threshold as the Sponsorship bylaw. The mounted unit would ensure that articles in excess of $5,000 value will be preceded by a Board Report specifying the circumstances. This section, and section 7.1, specifically indicate that a Police Services Board Report is not required for funding issues less than $5,000.

Section 10 outlines the criteria of the donor and private sector funding project. As with the Sponsorship bylaw, the program should be consistent with the Service's mission, values, and beliefs. Donors must not compromise the integrity, objectivity, or impartiality of the Service, and must be members of good standing in the community, and have a mission and standard consistent with our own. Certainly, the FNMP shares our commitment to community policing and education, and the furtherance of improving the image of the police.

Conclusion - In summary, the activities of the FNMP and its relationship with the NRPS are entirely consistent with the PSB bylaws entitled Sponsorship and Private Sector Funding. Accepting what the FNMP may have to offer has the potential to enhance the mounted officer's appearance and operations considerably, and would be a welcomed partnership with the community.