The work of Community Services officers contributes to crime prevention. Officers work to build relationships with residents, municipalities, and stakeholders of the communities we serve. A number of programs are offered by Community Services officers including:
- Students Taking Responsibility in Violence Education (STRIVE)
- Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.)
- Neighbourhood Watch
- Armed Robbery Prevention
- Shoplifting Prevention
- Personal Safety
- Social Media Safety
- Bicycle Safety
- Overview of Police Operations
For more information about program offerings please e-mail: contactrnc@rnc.gov.nl.ca.
Students Taking Responsibility in Violence Education (STRIVE)
Students Taking Responsibility in Violence Education (STRIVE) is a youth violence initiative delivered to grade 7 students.
The goal of the program is to empower students to take ownership of youth violence issues and work within their schools and communities to find solutions. Officers communicate themes of respect, responsibility, empowerment, and action.
The program started in 1996 and focused primarily on bullying. The current program encompasses social media and digital device usage and was developed in partnership with NL Schools (formerly the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District), Memorial University’s Faculty of Education and a local junior high school.
Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.)
The D.A.R.E program is a police officer- led series of 10 classroom lessons delivered to grade six students that teaches children how to resist peer pressure and live productive drug, and violence-free lives. The program is the most comprehensive K-12 prevention education program in the world and is taught in the United States and more than 29 countries around the world.
Officers work to build a relationship with the students in the D.A.R.E program as they instill the D.A.R.E decision-making model for them to apply across a variety of situations they will encounter in junior high and beyond. Students are given the tools and taught the skills to empower them to make smart decisions with respect to drugs, bullying, peer pressure, and stress.
Neighbourhood Watch
Neighbourhood Watch is a partnership with the city of St. John’s. The voluntary crime prevention program involves neighbours working together, being alert to suspicious activities and looking out for one another to help create a safer environment for everyone. Neighbourhood Watch encourages neighbourhoods to work together with police to help prevent and report crime in our communities. Community Services officers can come to your neighbourhood and host a meeting to help you get started.
Armed Robbery Prevention
Community Services officers are available to provide advice to businesses and their employees. The discussion includes:
- Measures that can be taken to help prevent armed robberies.
- What to do during a robbery
- What to do after a robbery
Shoplifting Prevention
Community Services officers are available to provide advice to business owners and employees of retail outlets about ways to help guard against shoplifters.
Personal Safety
These sessions are age specific and address general safety practices.
Social Media Safety
This presentation addresses social media safety. Officers deliver sessions to various youth groups and care providers.
Bicycle Safety
Community Services officers teach you how to inspect your bicycle before riding, provide riding tips, and advise of proper hand signals.
Overview of Police Operations
This presentation provides a general overview of policing roles, duties, and responsibilities.