OTTAWA POLICE SERVICES BOARD REPORT
COMMISSION DE SERVICES POLICIERS RAPPORT
Our File/N/Réf.
Your File/V/Réf.
DATE 17 April 2009
TO/DEST. Chair and Members, Ottawa Police Services Board
FROM/EXP. Executive Director, Ottawa Police Services Board
SUBJECT/OBJET BOARD
POLICY MANUAL:
AMENDMENTS
TO POLICY ON SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY
That the Ottawa Police Services Board approve amendments to the Board’s Sex Offender Registry Policy (#LE-046) as outlined in the document attached as Annex A.
BACKGROUND
The Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services publishes a Policing Standards Manual that contains guidelines to assist police services boards, chiefs of police and municipalities with their understanding and implementation of the Police Services Act and its regulations, including the Regulation on the Adequacy and Effectiveness of Police Services. The Ottawa Police Services Board has adopted the standard guidelines published by the Ministry in its policies contained in Chapter 4 of the Board’s Policy Manual. These policies form part of the Board’s instructions to the Chief of Police.
On 14 April 2009 the Ministry issued amendments to its Sex Offender Registry Guideline LE‑046, which is contained in the Board’s Policy LE-046. The changes are required due to the December 2008 proclamation of Bill 16, Christopher’s Law (Sex Offender Registry) Amendment Act, 2008, and include the following:
1.
The title of the Guideline (and any references to it within the
guideline) will now be “Ontario Sex Offender Registry” instead of “Sex Offender
Registry”.
- The
Legislative/Regulatory Requirements section of the Guideline now
references “The Act known as Christopher’s Law (Sex Offender Registry),
2000; it is recommended that the section in its entirety be added to
the Board’s policy for explanatory purposes.
- Two new subsections have been added to the sample board policy
contained within the Ministry’s Guideline to ensure:
a)
the
establishment of procedures and processes consistent with the requirements
legislated by the federal Sex Offender Information Registration Act (as
distinct from the Ontario Sex Offender Registry Act, addressed in a separate
subsection); and
b)
that
appropriate members receive training on both the provincial and federal Sex
Offender Registry legislative requirements.
The changes set out above have been incorporated into the amended Board Policy LE-046 attached as Annex A, and are presented for the Board’s approval.
Current Version
For comparison purposes, the current version of the Board Policy reads as
follows:
It is the policy of the Ottawa Police
Services Board with respect to the Sex Offender Registry that the Chief of
Police will:
a)
designate
and maintain a registration site(s);
b)
establish
procedures and processes consistent with the requirements of Christopher’s Law (Sex Offender Registry), 2000; and
c)
ensure
that appropriate members receive training on the Sex Offender Registry,
consistent with the
role and responsibilities assigned to them.
CONSULTATION
No consultation was required as the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services has amended the Guideline and all police services boards are expected to incorporate the guidelines issued by the Province into their own policies.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
There are no financial implications associated with this report.
CONCLUSION
All police services boards in Ontario are expected to adopt policies that are consistent with the standard guidelines issued by the Ministry of Community Safety & Correctional Services. The Ministry recently made amendments to the Ontario Sex Offender Registry Guideline, which is reflected in the Board’s Policy Manual as Policy LE-046. Approval of the amendments outlined in this report and contained in Annex A will ensure the Ottawa Police Services Board remains compliant with Ministry Standard guidelines.
(original
signed by)
W. Fedec
Attach. (1)