JOINT RESOLUTION

FROM THE ‘BIG 12’ ONTARIO POLICE SERVICES BOARDS

ON SPECIAL CONSTABLES AND ACCOUNTABILITY

WHEREAS Ontario’s Police Services Act allows police services boards - with approval from the Minister of Community Safety & Correctional Services - to appoint special constables to perform specified duties for both police and non-police organizations; and

WHEREAS current legislation does not address issues such as liability, indemnification, accountability, training, use of force or complaints procedures; and

WHEREAS police services boards in Ontario are concerned about the lack of accountability mechanisms for special constables and about potential liabilities associated with these appointments; and

WHEREAS the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) released a White Paper in February 2010 entitled “Report on Special Constables in Ontario” calling on the Government of Ontario to initiate a comprehensive review of Special Constables in the Province of Ontario that would look at:

a) Developing standards for training, professional development and certification that recognize the roles, responsibilities, and authority of special constables;

b) Creating a standard system of oversight and accountability regarding public complaints, use of force options, and process for dealing with allegations of misconduct surrounding the exercise of conferred powers and authority;

c) Streamlining the appointment, approval, renewal, and revocation processes for special constables; and

d) Mandating clear uniform and equipment design and markings for special constable services that are clearly unique to enable easy distinction from police officers and policing services;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Big 12 Ontario Police Services Boards (Durham, Greater Sudbury, Halton, Hamilton, London, Niagara, Ottawa, Peel, Toronto, Waterloo, Windsor, York) express their joint support for the OACP White Paper and request the Province of Ontario to conduct a comprehensive review of the Special Constable Program as outlined in the OACP Paper.