An independent review of the Charlottetown Police Service warns that the community has very little confidence in the department, and morale needs to be improved.

'[Charlottetown Police Service] appeared defensive when asked to work up an event plan.'— Verheul & Associates report

An advance copy of the report — to be released to the public Wednesday — was obtained by CBC News.

The independent report, written by the consultants Verheul & Associates from Ontario, said community confidence in the city police is steadily declining and is presently at risk. It notes police dropped opportunities to forge relationships with the community, and made particular reference to how it approached the Festival of Lights and similar events.

"[Charlottetown Police Service] appeared defensive when asked to work up an event plan and the experience of working with the CPS around the execution of the plan was generally negative," the consultants wrote.

Weak documentation in files

In the area of criminal investigation, the consultants looked over a random sampling of 20 files from last year.

'Habit, history, and daily circumstance have filled the vacuum.'— Verheul & Associates report

They found 45 per cent were properly completed; 25 per cent were considered good files but had weak documentation; and 30 per cent were of poor quality.

That finding is backed by interviews with the Crown attorneys who take police files to court. The report also pointed to problems with the overall direction of the police service.

The consultants say employees feel there's no vision, and very little accountability. They wrote there is some reason for employees to feel that way. The existing plan for police is currently on hold at city council.

"The CPS cannot be said to have a formally approved strategy," the report says.

"The consequence is that habit, history, and daily circumstance have filled the vacuum."

The actual CPS strategy, it says, is essentially reactive, and mostly consists of answering calls for service.

Despite this lack of direction, the consultants were impressed with the dedication of the force's 53 police officers and 14 civilian staff.

"We were impressed with the grit and determination shown by many employees to hang in during the current period of low morale," they wrote.

The city ordered the independent review in September. It is the first official, external review in 16 years.