Planning, Research and Audit Section

The Planning, Research and Audit Section formerly and still informally called the Crime Audit Office or just Crime Audit, is a unit of the Lower Mainland Constabulary (LMC) attached to the Executive Office of the Chief Constable and answerable to the Deputy Chief Constable. The unit is tasked with compiling and analysing statistics and figures related to crime and police efficiency.

The Planning, Research and Audit Section consists of a superintendent, a civilian director and audit supervisor, two sergeants, three constables, and a civilian research and policy advisor, research assistant, planning and policy advisor, four planning analysts and an audit assistant. The responsibilities of Crime Audit include policy development and analysis, program evaluation, strategic planning and research to support the long and short term goals of the Constabulary.

In addition to keeping the Chief Constable and Deputy Chief Constable informed on crime and policing trends within the constabulary's area of jurisdiction, Crime Audit issues notices to divisional commanders throughout the constabulary, informing them when certain types of offences are on the rise, with instructions on procedures to reduce them. This is carried out through the Control Strategy policy, which prioritises cases of such offences to be dealt with as a matter of urgency for certain periods of time over other types of cases.

Crime Audit has its office at the Lower Mainland Constabulary headquarters in New Westminster, adjacent to the offices of the Chief Constable and Deputy Chief Constable.