Introducing GardaWorld Security’s Community Engagement Unit
Staffed by seasoned retired police officers and funded by the municipality, the Community Engagement Unit (CEU) handles non-critical duties—allowing on-duty police officers to concentrate on high-priority calls and community safety.
Discover how in just four months, one police force saved over 1,000 hours of admin time by leveraging the CEU program.
Case Study
Enhancing public safety through strategic support: A collaborative approach
A Canadian city hosted a series of public open houses involving residents, police and public safety representatives, and business owners. Conversations focused on rising safety concerns—especially downtown—such as graffiti, vandalism, homelessness, drug use, trail safety, and minor crimes. While community demand for visible safety interventions increased, the city’s police force was dealing with persistent staffing shortages, limiting its ability to proactively respond.
To address these challenges, GardaWorld Security introduced a Community Engagement Unit. Comprised of six retired police officers, employed by GardaWorld Security but working directly with the City, and identified by a distinctive CEU patch, the unit was created to support the police force by handling administrative and non-core policing duties.
CEU responsibilities include:
- Acting as ambassadors for the City and its police force
- Taking statements for minor crimes
- Assisting the Operation Centre with non-core policing calls
- Investigating stolen property
- Assisting in operations centers and administrative functions
- Gathering information to build a case or file for the officers
- Managing internal paperwork to assist with building cases and files
The CEU in action: Delivering results that matter
In only a few short months after launch, the CEU:
- Handled an average of 130 files per month
- Saved frontline officers an average of 260 admin hours per month
- Enabled police officers to spend more time on priority calls
- Strengthened public engagement and community relations
Beyond the statistics, the CEU has strengthened public confidence, created visible improvements in the downtown core, and allowed police officers to focus on their highest priorities. The collaborative model—with clearly defined roles, customized services, and community trust—serves as a replicable solution for other municipalities facing similar staffing or capacity challenges.
Enhanced collaboration starts here:
