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Partnership with
Local Merchants
The members of the Joliette, Québec Customs & Excise Section wanted to apply a C.A.P.R.A. initiative in their jurisdiction. In the past, there was virtually no dialogue with local merchants over the explosion of contraband cigarettes and alcohol on the Canadian market. In fact, during the 1993 cigarette crisis, the local merchants were banding together to openly sell contraband cigarette on street corners. The lowering of taxes on tobacco helped alleviate some of the frustration of these store owners who returned to their businesses.
To meet with all store owners in our jurisdiction to explain the section mandate, the effects of contraband cigarettes on the Canadian market and leave a name and number where a member could be reached to answer any questions or report any illegal contraband activities. MEET ALL STORE OWNERS WITHIN 9 MONTHS.
Open the lines of dialogue with the local merchants.
Should there be another uprising by the local merchants because of a raise in
the taxes in tobacco our unit would be better prepared to intervene. GET
NAMES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF ALL MERCHANTS AND CALL THEM BACK 6 MONTHS AFTER
INITIAL CONTACT.
The members of our section wanted to involve the 10 municipal police forces in our jurisdiction (approx. 160 police officers) in reducing the contraband products on the market which in turn help the store owners. In fact, the contraband initiative has been ongoing for over 2 years and the municipal police forces have not had any official presentations. To accomplish this task the members had an objective of:
Give a 1 hour presentation to all 10 municipal police forces in our jurisdiction on the mandate of our section and the consequences of contraband products on the Canadian market: How to identify contraband cigarettes and alcohol, the powers of arrest and seizure for a municipal police officer, give each patrol officer a plasticised card with his powers of arrest and seizure and a telephone number where a member of our section can be reached 24 hrs. per day. The presentations are to be given to the patrol officers who have the most contact daily with the general public.
Local merchants were extremely pleased to meet a representative of the R.C.M.P. In almost all cases this was their first contact with a member of our organisation. They were pleased to find out someone was looking out for their interests. If we were able to stop the sale of contraband cigarettes in their area, customers would be coming into their stores to buy cigarettes and at the same time other items instead of going to see the local contraband seller.
Our unit experienced a rise in calls from local merchants reporting people selling contraband in their areas. In one case a store owner in a very small village of around 1500 people reported a suspect. Our unit was able to make an arrest and that local store owner saw his sales increase by $500.00 per week.
The municipal police officers were pleased with
the presentations and the knowledge that they had additional powers they didn't
know about, and which could be used to help not only our section but also their
investigations (EX: B & E suspect has an illegal pack of cigarettes or bottle
of liquor). Our unit experienced an increase in reports from the municipal police
officers.
6 months after the initial contact, the members of the unit called 50 % of the local merchants and visited them to find out if they had any questions or information. The store owners appeared to be very pleased with the follow-up and the services rendered.
A survey was sent to the 10 municipal police forces on the satisfaction level with our services, and if our service was meeting their needs. The surveys came back positive and they were pleased with our proactive approach.
Our unit had problems scheduling presentations
with the municipal police forces who are unionised and work shift work. Naturally,
the Police Chiefs didn't want to pay overtime to their employees to receive
our presentations, so we had to return as many as 5 times to the same police
department to reach all patrol officers. At times, there were only 4 police
officers per presentation. We felt it was worth it, because we had to reach
the grass roots of the organisation, not give the information to the Officers
to disseminate as they see fit.
Sgt. M.R. Jeffrey
Cst. D. Mayer
(514) 759-1645
