2025 ANNUAL REPORT | DEPARTMENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS | POLICE
OFFICE OF THE CAO | DEPARTMENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS | 2025 ANNUAL REPORT
Office of the CAO
The Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) provides corporate leadership and strategic oversight to help advance Council’s priorities and the City’s long-term vision. The department strengthens collaboration across the organization and with external partners to support effective service delivery and informed decision- making. This work includes legislative and legal services, intergovernmental relations, and guidance on reconciliation and Indigenous relations.
$17.3 million received in grant funding from senior governments to support projects and initiatives across the City.
Police
Indigenous Relations Completed revisions to the City’s
Intergovernmental Relations Advanced intergovernmental advocacy and relationship-building efforts related to affordable housing, education, infrastructure funding, reconciliation, youth supports, and cultural facilities. Coordinated with government agencies and partners to advance regional transportation initiatives, including the Stewardson Way multimodal pathway project. Supported affordable housing initiatives by working with community organizations and senior governments, including helping Aunt Leah’s Place secure provincial approval for housing supporting youth aging out of care. Coordinated the Youth Situation Table initiative, bringing together community partners to identify and support youth facing elevated risk and complex challenges. Legislative Services Improved transparency and accountability by introducing the routine public release of closed Council resolutions in alignment with open government principles. Supported effective Council governance through agenda coordination, records management, and legislative oversight to ensure compliance with applicable legislation, policies, and procedures.
The New Westminster Police Department provides a range of services including first- response, traffic enforcement, domestic violence response, forensic crime analysis, intelligence services, crime prevention, and victim services. Through the committed efforts of uniformed and civilian staff, along with volunteers and members of the Police Board, New Westminster remains a vibrant and safe community.
$138,000 received through the Province’s Community Safety and Targeted Enforcement and Special Investigation and Targeted Enforcement programs to support enhanced Downtown foot patrols and community safety initiatives. 3 years of federal funding received through the Contribution Program to Combat Serious and Organized Crime to support a dedicated Child Sexual Exploitation Investigator position.
historical analysis report (colonial audit) in collaboration with local First Nations and a historian consultant to strengthen and enrich historical accounts. Continued development of a citywide archaeological overview assessment to help identify sites of cultural significance to local First Nations, informed through ongoing
collaboration and engagement. Strengthened relationships with
neighbouring Nations through Council-to- Council, CAO-to-CAO, staff-to-staff, and cultural engagement opportunities involving Knowledge Keepers and Elders. Expanded regional collaboration with First Nations on heritage and cultural programming initiatives. Increased organizational capacity for Indigenous relations through creation of an Indigenous Relations Staff Committee. Began foundational work to develop integrated action plans responding to UNDRIP, DRIPA, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Final Report.
Enhanced Downtown foot patrols through additional focused patrols, proactive enforcement, public interactions, and referrals, contributing to reductions in several monitored offence categories in the Downtown neighbourhood. Statistics Canada’s 2024 Crime Severity Index showed crime severity in New Westminster declined to its lowest level since 2018, including a 23.3% reduction in violent crime severity and a 14.1% decrease in non-violent crime severity.
Introduced a dedicated Child Sexual Exploitation Investigator position to strengthen investigations involving child sexual abuse material and improve coordination with community safety partners. The NWPD investigates approximately 30 related files annually. Expanded public education and outreach related to scams and fraud prevention through community engagement, public awareness campaigns, and timely warnings about emerging fraud trends.
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