Regina police looking to expand video reporting system

The Regina Police Service is planning to add to one of its new additions.

The Virtual Police Reporting System (VPRS) was launched June 1, giving people a chance to report certain crimes by video.

“When a member of the public comes into the police station to report a crime that meets the criteria for VPRS, they will be sent to a booth equipped with a computer and headphones, rather than waiting in the queue to speak with an Inquiry Officer at the Front Desk,” police said in a media release Wednesday.

“Once seated in front of the monitor, that member of the public will be greeted by a uniformed officer who will take the report virtually, in real time.”

Police said the system reduces wait times for people who previously would have to wait in line at the front desk. From June 1 to Oct. 31, 178 crimes were reported through the system and police said, on average, each report took just over an hour.

Currently, not all crimes can be reported via the system. The list includes, but isn’t limited to, online frauds, phone scams, hit and run, and auto thefts.

Given the system’s success to date, police are looking to expand the list of crimes that can be reported through VPRS, put more booths in the lobby of the new police station, and make some technical upgrades to improve the system.