Our research supports the Public Safety Personnel (PSP) sectors, including policing, corrections, fire, and emergency health services. We conduct studies across a range of areas designed to improve outcomes, efficiency, and community trust.
Click a topic below to learn more about our work:
Citizen Perceptions
With more than 20 years of specialized experience in consulting on public attitudes toward policing, our firm provides comprehensive measurement of Citizen Perceptions for Public Safety Personnel (PSP) across Canada. In an era where community trust and transparency are paramount, understanding how residents feel about their safety and the services they receive is crucial. Our research services play a key role in shaping effective and responsive policing strategies.
We are also aware that no two communities are alike. That’s why we value collaboration and work closely with each client to understand local priorities, demographic factors, and the historical context of their communities. Whether you’re looking to assess the impact of new community policing initiatives or benchmark performance against provincial standards, our bespoke research designs ensure the findings are relevant, reliable, and ready to inform policy. Our goal is to empower departments with the knowledge they need to enhance public safety, elevate service quality, and reinforce community trust.
We’ve partnered with major police services such as the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the Edmonton Police Service, and the City of Red Deer Police Service to deliver robust, evidence-based insights. We gauge overall satisfaction, identify areas of excellence, and pinpoint opportunities for improvement. We also have completed this for emergency departments such as Ornge or the BC Office of Patient-Centered Measurement.
Program Evaluation and Review
Our team brings a collaborative approach to Program Evaluation and Review for law enforcement and public safety agencies across Canada. Whether launching a crime reduction initiative, piloting new technologies, or expanding community outreach, we design and execute evaluations that fit each department’s goals. From the outset, we partner with leadership and frontline officers to establish clear objectives and performance indicators, ensuring that every stakeholder’s voice informs the process.
Using a mixed-methods framework, we combine quantitative data analysis with qualitative insights. This blend of methods lets us measure program outcomes rigorously, uncover best practices, and pinpoint areas for improvement. We navigate operational constraints, respect data-privacy requirements, and honor organizational culture, so our findings remain credible and relevant.
Our evaluations have guided strategic decisions for a diverse portfolio of initiatives from diversion programs to safety education campaigns. We translate complex results into clear, actionable recommendations. This gives departments the tools needed to optimize resource allocation, enhance program impact, and strengthen community trust.
We have conducted projects such as the Evaluations of Project Journey and Project Sunset for the OPP, an Evaluation of the OPS Real You Wellness program for the Ottawa Police Service, and a Review of the Special Constable Program for the Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Service.
Value Assessments (SROI)
Our innovative social return on investment (SROI) of policing approach is unique in its comprehensive assessment of policing and public safety impact. It goes beyond traditional community-impact metrics to capture the full spectrum of social, economic, and organizational value generated by various initiatives. We collaborate with leadership teams to map stakeholders, define outcomes, and quantify both tangible and intangible benefits. Our mixed-methods framework integrates cost-benefit analysis with surveys, interviews, and administrative data, ensuring that every dimension of impact is accounted for.
Clients across Canada have trusted us to illuminate the true value of their programs. We partnered with the RCMP in Alberta to measure the impact of increased resourcing on road safety, crime reduction, community engagement, and key human resources (HR) metrics, including burnout and job satisfaction. We’ve also evaluated SROI for childcare support programs, housing initiatives, youth-in-care services, and more, delivering clear, data-driven insights at both the organizational and program levels.
Our SROI of Policing approach is designed to empower departments to optimize investments, justify funding requests, and effectively communicate outcomes to stakeholders. It provides the strategic clarity needed to enhance public safety, strengthen community trust, and maximize the social value of every dollar spent.
We have competed projects such as the Value of Policing for the Alberta Royal Canadian Mounted Police. We have also completed SROI projects for BC Children and Family Development, Alberta Children and Family Services, Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, Region of Peel Housing, and BC Housing among others.
Performance Measurement
Our performance measurement frameworks empower law enforcement agencies to track, analyze, and optimize every aspect of their operations. By combining tailored key performance indicators (KPIs) with dynamic reporting tools, we provide the clarity to make data-driven decisions, improve service delivery, and demonstrate accountability to your community. We work with departments to identify the metrics that matter most and by aligning these KPIs with strategic goals, we ensure that every figure reflects meaningful progress toward safer streets and stronger public trust.
We’ve partnered with agencies of all sizes, from municipal forces to provincial services, to implement performance measurement systems that drive continuous improvement. Our work has enabled departments to reduce response times, improve officer well-being, and increase public satisfaction scores all while managing budgets more effectively. We translate data into targeted strategies that enhance operational efficiency, officer morale, and community engagement.
We are completing project such as Community Satisfaction Surveys for the Ontario Provincial Police which we have done now for approximately 15 years, and projects such as Youth Justice Initiative Performance Measurement Framework for Justice Canada.
Time Use Research
Our Time Use Studies provide precise insights into how professionals allocate their work hours, empowering your organization with the evidence needed for informed staffing, compliance, and contract negotiations. By capturing detailed activity logs and observational data, we reveal where time truly goes, uncovering inefficiencies and opportunities for optimization. We design each study to reflect the operational realities of departments and sectors, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of your organization’s workflows. Our mixed-methods approach combines time-tracking tools, direct observation, and stakeholder interviews to provide an accurate and comprehensive picture of daily workflows. Our analyses quantify time spent on core functions, non-value-added tasks, and ancillary activities, Highlighting bottlenecks, overstaffing, or underutilized resources. These insights justify adjustments to human resources.
We’ve partnered with healthcare providers, school boards, industrial operations, and other organizations to deliver time-use profiles that drive change and generate significant returns on investment. Our clear, visual reports and interactive dashboards let stakeholders explore time allocations, compare roles or shifts, and benchmark against industry norms. We facilitate workshops to translate findings into targeted action plans, providing the data needed to streamline processes, enhance job satisfaction, and support evidence-based policy or bargaining strategies. By identifying and addressing inefficiencies, our time use studies can lead to substantial cost savings and improved operational efficiency.
We can conducted these kinds of studies for the Alberta Medical Association, Huskey Energy, and Alberta Education.