KLPS board outlines strategic plan focused on safety, modernization and community engagement

The Kawartha Lakes Police Services board recently released their 2026-2030 strategic plan, focused on four pillars.

Those pillars are: cultivating community safety; investing more in KLPS; modernizing the service; and connecting with the community.

Seven years ago, the Ontario government passed the Community Safety and Policing Act, requiring all police service boards in Ontario to create a strategic plan.

“It builds on the progress of the 2022 – 2025 Strategic Plan and provides a clear and actionable four-year roadmap for how the KLPSB will stay future-ready and responsive to emerging community needs, operational realities, and the new legislative requirements,” the report stated.

Interviews were conducted with the board, chief of police and other stakeholders, and input was taken from the public during community pop-up events.

Some of the key issues that arose was a desire for more foot patrols; KLPS building relationships and getting involved with more community organizations; more support being offered for those experiencing addition and mental health challenges; and building trust with youth and students by being out in the community more.

The plan also mentioned introducing AI. “We are exploring the use of AI technology when it comes to officer notes and to assist with officer report preparation. This type of technology is rapidly transforming how frontline officers conduct their duties,” said Kirk Robertson, chief of police.

The available technology can draw information from body cameras officers wear, as well as information from a computer aided dispatch system to assist with generating reports. Robertson makes it clear that even when implementing AI, a human element is still needed. “This does not remove the human element from these activities but does provide efficiencies to reduce the administrative burden on officers,” he said.

Robertson said KLPS will continue to engage in many crime prevention initiatives. This includes bail compliance to ensure that those in the community awaiting trial are abiding by the terms of their release.

The strategic plan aims for no growth in violent, property, and youth crime rates from their 2025 numbers. When it comes to crime prevention and keeping these numbers down, Robertson said it’s all about education. “Providing education to residents and business owners to help protect themselves from being the victim of crime is important.”

Another key theme the report saw was engaging with youth and students, as well as implementing youth diversion programs. “We will continue to provide programs to the youth in our community through our daily activities which also include the programs offered by our community services officer in our schools,” Robertson said.

“We are confident that this plan puts the service on a strong course over the coming years, and we are thankful for the members of the community, board, service, and municipal partners who made it possible,” the report stated.

The plan will continue to be reviewed on an annual basis, which will provide the public with a progress report.