Research summary – Environmental scan on external factors influencing the Canadian policing environment in 2023
Official title: 2023 Environmental Scan
Authors of the report: RCMP, Corporate Reporting, Integrated Risk Management Unit
ISBN: 978-0-660-49523-1
Catalogue: PS64-188/2023E-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 2023 Environmental Scan considers the latest trends that are likely to influence the policing environment for years to come.
What we did
In consultation with various stakeholders, the RCMP 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.
It is important to note that though the Environmental Scan is focused on multi-year trends, the document necessarily reflects a snapshot in time. While still very relevant to long-term insights, this document does not capture some events and issues that took place after the content was finalized, such as the Israel/Gaza conflict.
What we found
This scan produced many findings about the six external factors. The highlights for each factor follow:
- Political
- The challenges facing politicians, domestically and globally, are at critical levels and require bold collective action.
- Economic
- Higher than normal inflation is creating affordability issues for many, yet the labour market continues to grow with low unemployment rates and increasing salaries.
- Socio-cultural
- Society is dividing into smaller communities based on common interests and backgrounds, which is increasing social polarization.
- Technology
- Digital technologies are transforming the way citizens interact with the world around them, with each other and with the RCMP.
- Legal
- Governments are playing catch up with new legislation as existing legislation is becoming increasingly irrelevant to meet the requirements of digital economies.
- Environment
- Climate change will have significant implications for policing by requiring police officers to respond to a range of challenges related to natural disasters, civil unrest, crime patterns and resource allocation.
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
We invite you to request a copy of the full report. To do so, please send an email to the following address: rcmp_enquiries-enquetes_grc@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
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