Stratford police officers and dispatchers are now equipped with a list of 22 prolific offenders identified by a Stratford Police Service analyst based on police data compiled from last year.
At Wednesday’s Stratford police services board meeting, Stratford police Chief Greg Skinner presented statistics from the police service’s 2022 prolific offenders report.
“A prolific offender is identified as an individual who has demonstrated violent tendencies, has been in contact with the police multiple times within the calendar year and/or (has been) charged with multiple criminal offenses,” Skinner told board members.
“The objective of identifying individuals internally as prolific offenders is to ensure that Crown prosecutors have complete, accurate and up-to-date information with respect to an offender’s history when being prosecuted for offences; promote the provision of support services for individuals with the goal to prevent future breaches of the law and promote rehabilitation; promote meaningful consequences for offenders and mitigate opportunities for catch and release through the courts; ensure appropriate monitoring of individuals when they’re on judicial release conditions; and ensure appropriate collaboration between justice sector partners.”
Combined, the 22 people included in the 2022 prolific offenders report were involved in a total of 252 significant interactions with police and accounted for an average of 11.5 calls for service each. Of that group, 17 are male and five are female while they range in age from younger than 16 to 60.
Many of those identified in the report have either used or were in possession of a weapon during their interactions with police officers – knives were the most prevalent – and are suffering from mental-health, addictions and other diagnosed behavioral issues, including suicidal ideation, while some also have communicable diseases.
“Ensuring that officers have the most accurate information while responding to calls for service for these individuals assists them in preparing their approach to ensure their safety and the safety of others present,” Skinner said.
“Unfortunately, 2022 was a bad year for police officers being killed in the line of duty. As the statistics show, most officers are killed upon their initial approach to an individual and do not have time to defend themselves. … The more information we can provide our front-line officers with … the better chance they can protect themselves, respond to a threat and protect the public.”