The Citizens On Patrol Program (COPP) in Thompson held its first ever annual general meeting on March 30 - something that hasn't happened before, even though the group has been around the city since 1994.
The COPP program began in Manitoba in 1991, and was initially directed by local law enforcement and Manitoba Justice. Partnerships were later formed with various communities and the following year Manitoba Justice initiated a granting option for COPP groups. The groups could then apply for one-time grants to cover the cost of basic equipment like portable radios, cell phones, flashlights, and clothing such as vests and jackets.
In March 2001, Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) got on board with Manitoba Justice to help improve support and networking for COPP groups and to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and techniques used by COPP members. This eventually led to the Manitoba Citizens on Patrol Program.
The goal of the program is to provide community based groups with the opportunity to join and access support, information, training and basic equipment. In December of 2001, the first COPP conference was held and annual conferences have continued ever since.
But for Thompson's COPP group, this was the first time an annual general meeting was held. Bobby Montean, with COPP in Thompson, says the reason is because the group wants to put more of a focus on the need for volunteers they continually experience.
Thompson's COPP group is one of the first groups in Northern Manitoba, including Lynn Lake, whose group just started up again recently. The Thompson group is working actively with Manitoba Housing, the RCMP and Thompson Fire and Emergency Services - the first COPP group to ever partner with a fire department - to make the streets of Thompson safer.
COPP members are the "eyes and ears" for law enforcement. Volunteers must fill out an application, sign a letter of agreement and have a criminal record check done - which COPP pays for. They then get to patrol various parts of the community in various ways - on foot, by vehicle, on bicycle or even by snowmobile. Montean says the volunteers are encouraged to only observe and report, and not get involved in confronting people. Despite this, COPP in Thompson has done everything from help travelers change a tire to performing CPR on individuals while waiting for an ambulance to arrive to talking people out of jumping off the Miles Hart Bridge. Montean says it's an unbelievable experience and encourages anyone with the slightest inclination to see what COPP is all about.
