Research summary – Environmental Scan on external factors influencing the Canadian policing environment in 2020
Official title: RCMP 2020 Environmental Scan
Authors of the report: RCMP, Corporate Reporting, Integrated Risk Management Unit
Catalogue: PS64-188/2020E-PDF
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Why this study
The RCMP conducts periodic scanning of its external operating environment to help with strategic planning and risk management. Environmental scanning allows us to plan by learning from past trends, responding to current trends and preparing for those trends that are emerging. Understanding the external environment is important to our ability to work effectively with local, Indigenous, national and international law enforcement partners to keep Canada safe.
The 2020 Environmental Scan considers the RCMP’s 150th anniversary and its initial modernization efforts.
What we did
In consultation with various stakeholders, the core scanning team used a PESTLE (political, economic, socio-cultural, technology, legal and environment) analysis framework to determine what may influence the external operating environment of the RCMP.
What we found
The scan identified six areas (mega-trends), which are critical for considering when developing organizational strategies. These include:
- National security and transnational and serious organized crime
- Ideologically motivated extremism, foreign actor interference and the increasingly transnational nature of organized crime continue to influence Canada’s national security position.
- Demographics and society
- An aging demographic and a mobile global immigrant population continue to change the social structures of Canadian society.
- The 4th Industrial Revolution
- Innovation is driving emerging technology at unprecedented rates with individuals having ever-expanding access to these advancements.
- Protecting human rights
- Human rights issues have come under increasing public attention and have been the subject to highly visible legal proceedings.
- Climate change
- Climate change has grown to be one of the most significant threats to environmental sustainability.
- Trust, confidence and transparency
- Political pressures, social change and a more vigilant and involved public have impacted the trust that Canadians have for their police forces and all levels of government.
What it means
The RCMP operates in a rapidly changing environment. New threats are constantly coming up and shifting, while public expectations and scrutiny are increasing. The capacity and capability gaps between police and criminals are widening, particularly in the digital world.
An informed awareness of the broader trends influencing community safety will help the RCMP foresee and rapidly adapt itself to mitigate risks, as well as leverage opportunities to meet the evolving needs of both governments and communities.
An understanding of the complexity and scope of these factors will help shape the RCMP’s capabilities going forward as well as guide the corporate risk management and strategic planning processes.
Contact us
Integrated Risk Management Unit, Corporate Reporting, Strategic Policy and Communications
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