Police Services Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, Police Services Act

Police Services Act

R.S.O. 1990, CHAPTER P.15

Historical version for the period June 22, 2006 to October 18, 2006.

Amended by: 1991, c. 12; 1994, c. 1, s. 25; 1995, c. 4, s. 4; 1996, c. 1, Sched. Q, s. 3; 1997, c. 8, ss. 1-41; 1997, c. 16, s. 12; 1997, c. 17, ss. 8-10; 1997, c. 21, Sched. A, s. 5; 1999, c. 6, s. 55; 2001, c. 11; 2001, c. 25, s. 481; 2002, c. 17, Sched. F, Table; 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, ss. 58-71; 2005, c. 5, s. 58; 2006, c. 19, Sched. F, s. 5.

CONTENTS

1.

Declaration of principles

2.

Definitions

PART I
RESPONSIBILITY FOR POLICE SERVICES

Solicitor General

3.

Administration of Act

Municipalities

4.

Police services in municipalities

5.

Methods of providing municipal police services

5.1

If municipality fails to provide police services

6.

Amalgamation of police forces

6.1

Municipal agreements for providing police services

7.

Municipal agreements for sharing police services

8.

Additional municipal police forces

9.

Police services absent or inadequate, O.P.P. assistance

10.

Municipal agreements for provision of police services by O.P.P.

11.

Municipalities who may receive fines

13.

Special areas, services by O.P.P.

14.

Police services outside municipality

15.

Municipal by-law enforcement officers

16.

Aid to survivors of deceased municipal police officers

16.1

Detention facilities

16.2

Peace officer in charge

Ontario Provincial Police

17.

Commissioner

18.

Composition of O.P.P.

19.

Responsibilities of O.P.P.

20.

Aid to survivors of deceased O.P.P. police officers

PART II
ONTARIO CIVILIAN COMMISSION ON POLICE SERVICES

21.

Composition of Commission, etc.

22.

Powers and duties of Commission

23.

Sanctions for failure to comply with prescribed standards of police services

24.

Emergency, interim order

25.

Investigations into police matters

26.

Inquiries respecting crime and law enforcement

PART III
MUNICIPAL POLICE SERVICES BOARDS

27.

Police services boards

28.

Election of chair

29.

Protection from personal liability

30.

Board may contract, sue and be sued

31.

Responsibilities of boards

32.

Oath of office

33.

Agreement to constitute joint board

34.

Delegation

35.

Meetings

36.

Evidence of by-laws

37.

Rules and procedures

38.

Municipal police force

39.

Estimates

40.

Reduction or abolition of police force

PART IV
POLICE OFFICERS AND OTHER POLICE STAFF

Chief of Police

41.

Duties of chief of police

Police Officers

42.

Duties of police officer

43.

Criteria for hiring

44.

Probationary period

45.

Oaths of office and secrecy

46.

Political activity

Members of Police Forces

47.

Accommodation of needs of disabled member of municipal police force

49.

Restrictions on secondary activities

50.

Liability for torts

51.

Police cadets

52.

Auxiliary members of municipal police force

Special Constables

53.

Appointment of special constables

First Nations Constables

54.

First Nations Constables

Emergencies

55.

Emergencies

PART V
COMPLAINTS

56.

Making a complaint

57.

Public complaints

58.

Informal complaint resolution

59.

Role of chief, vetting complaints

60.

Referral of complaints to appropriate authorities

61.

Complaints about municipal force, review by chief and board

62.

Complaints re local O.P.P. policies, review by detachment commander and board

63.

Complaints re provincial O.P.P. policies, Commissioner to review

64.

Complaints about police officer’s conduct

65.

Complaints about chief’s, deputy chief’s conduct

66.

Complaints about Commissioner’s, deputy Commissioner’s conduct

67.

Suspension

68.

Powers of chief and board

69.

Hearings, procedure

70.

Appeal to Commission

71.

Appeal to Divisional Court

72.

Review by Commission

73.

Commission may direct complaint process

74.

Misconduct

75.

Inducing misconduct and withholding services

76.

Delegation of chief’s powers and duties

77.

Notice

78.

Ombudsman Act not to apply

79.

Transition, discipline and complaints

80.

Confidentiality, exceptions

PART VII
SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS

113.

Special investigations unit

PART VIII
LABOUR RELATIONS

114.

Definitions, Part VIII

115.

Exclusions

116.

Hearing re person’s status

117.

Membership in trade union prohibited, exception

118.

Separate bargaining, etc., separate categories

119.

Notice of desire to bargain

120.

Bargaining committee

121.

Appointment of conciliation officer

122.

Arbitration

122.1

Existing proceedings discontinued

123.

Dispute, appointment of conciliation officer

124.

Arbitration after conciliation fails

125.

Extension of time

126.

Restriction

127.

Non-application of Arbitration Act, 1991

128.

Agreements, decisions and awards binding

129.

Duration of agreements, decisions and awards

130.

Provision for expenditures

131.

Composition of Arbitration Commission, etc.

PART IX
REGULATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS

132.

Property in possession of police force

133.

Money

134.

Firearms

135.

Regulations

136.

Crown bound

PART X
COURT SECURITY

137.

Court security

Declaration of principles

1. Police services shall be provided throughout Ontario in accordance with the following principles:

1. The need to ensure the safety and security of all persons and property in Ontario.

2. The importance of safeguarding the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Human Rights Code.

3. The need for co-operation between the providers of police services and the communities they serve.

4. The importance of respect for victims of crime and understanding of their needs.

5. The need for sensitivity to the pluralistic, multiracial and multicultural character of Ontario society.

6. The need to ensure that police forces are representative of the communities they serve. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 1.

Definitions

2. In this Act,

“association” means an association whose members belong to one police force and whose objects include the improvement of their working conditions and remuneration; (“association”)

“board” means a municipal police services board; (“commission de police”)

“chief of police” means a municipal chief of police or the Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police and includes an acting chief of police; (“chef de police”)

“Commission” means the Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services; (“Commission”)

“Commissioner” means the Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police; (“commissaire”)

“member of a police force” means a police officer, and in the case of a municipal police force includes an employee who is not a police officer; (“membre d’un corps de police”)

“police force” means the Ontario Provincial Police or a municipal police force; (“corps de police”)

“police officer” means a chief of police or any other police officer, but does not include a special constable, a First Nations Constable, a municipal law enforcement officer or an auxiliary member of a police force; (“agent de police”)

“prescribed” means prescribed by the regulations; (“prescrit”)

“regulations” means the regulations made under this Act; (“règlements”)

“spouse” means,

(a) a spouse as defined in section 1 of the Family Law Act, or

(b) either of two persons who live together in a conjugal relationship outside marriage. (“conjoint”) R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 2; 1997, c. 8, s. 1; 1999, c. 6, s. 55 (1); 2002, c. 17, Sched. F, Table; 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 58; 2005, c. 5, s. 58 (1, 2).

PART I
RESPONSIBILITY FOR POLICE SERVICES

Solicitor General

Administration of Act

3. (1) This Act shall be administered by the Solicitor General. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 3 (1); 1997, c. 8, s. 2 (1).

Duties and powers of Solicitor General

(2) The Solicitor General shall,

(a) monitor police forces to ensure that adequate and effective police services are provided at the municipal and provincial levels;

(b) monitor boards and police forces to ensure that they comply with prescribed standards of service;

(c) Repealed: 1995, c. 4, s. 4 (1).

(d) develop and promote programs to enhance professional police practices, standards and training;

(e) conduct a system of inspection and review of police forces across Ontario;

(f) assist in the co-ordination of police services;

(g) consult with and advise boards, community policing advisory committees, municipal chiefs of police, employers of special constables and associations on matters relating to police and police services;

(h) develop, maintain and manage programs and statistical records and conduct research studies in respect of police services and related matters;

(i) provide to boards, community policing advisory committees and municipal chiefs of police information and advice respecting the management and operation of police forces, techniques in handling special problems and other information calculated to assist;

(j) issue directives and guidelines respecting policy matters;

(k) develop and promote programs for community-oriented police services;

(l) operate the Ontario Police College. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 3 (2); 1995, c. 4, s. 4 (1); 1997, c. 8, s. 2 (2, 3).

Ontario Police College continued

(3) The police college known as the Ontario Police College for the training of members of police forces is continued. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 3 (3).

Municipalities

Police services in municipalities

4. (1) Every municipality to which this subsection applies shall provide adequate and effective police services in accordance with its needs. 1997, c. 8, s. 3.

Core police services

(2) Adequate and effective police services must include, at a minimum, all of the following police services:

1. Crime prevention.

2. Law enforcement.

3. Assistance to victims of crime.

4. Public order maintenance.

5. Emergency response. 1997, c. 8, s. 3.

Infrastructure for police services

(3) In providing adequate and effective police services, a municipality shall be responsible for providing all the infrastructure and administration necessary for providing such services, including vehicles, boats, equipment, communication devices, buildings and supplies. 1997, c. 8, s. 3.

Application

(4) Subsection (1) applies to,

(a) single-tier municipalities;

(b) lower-tier municipalities in the County of Oxford and in counties; and

(c) regional municipalities, other than the County of Oxford. 2002, c. 17, Sched. F, Table.

(5) Repealed: 2002, c. 17, Sched. F, Table.

Exception

(6) Despite subsection (4), the councils of the County of Oxford and of all the lower-tier municipalities within the County of Oxford may agree to have subsection (1) apply to the County of Oxford and not to the lower-tier municipalities but, having made such agreement, the councils cannot thereafter revoke it. 2002, c. 17, Sched. F, Table.

Methods of providing municipal police services

5. (1) A municipality’s responsibility to provide police services shall be discharged in one of the following ways:

1. The council may establish a police force, the members of which shall be appointed by the board under clause 31 (1) (a).

2. The council may enter into an agreement under section 33 with one or more other councils to constitute a joint board and the joint board may appoint the members of a police force under clause 31 (1) (a).

3. The council may enter into an agreement under section 6 with one or more other councils to amalgamate their police forces.

4. The council may enter into an agreement under section 6.1 with the council of another municipality to have its police services provided by the board of the other municipality, on the conditions set out in the agreement, if the municipality that is to receive the police services is contiguous to the municipality that is to provide the police services or is contiguous to any other municipality that receives police services from the same municipality.

5. The council may enter into an agreement under section 10, alone or jointly with one or more other councils, to have police services provided by the Ontario Provincial Police.

6. With the Commission’s approval, the council may adopt a different method of providing police services. 1997, c. 8, s. 4. 

Same – different methods in one municipality

(2) Subject to subsection (3), a municipality’s responsibility to provide police services may be discharged in one way set out in subsection (1) in one discrete area of the municipality and in another way or ways set out in subsection (1) in other discrete areas of the municipality if,

(a) the municipality consists of two or more widely dispersed communities or contains, within its boundaries, one or more communities that are remote from the rest of the municipality; or

(b) police services have historically been provided to one or more discrete areas of the municipality in a way that is different from the way police services are provided in the rest of the municipality. 2001, c. 11, s. 1.

One board or joint board

(3) All the police services provided in one municipality, except police services provided in a way described in paragraph 3 or 4 of subsection (1) or police services provided in the municipality by the Ontario Provincial Police under section 5.1, must be provided under one board or joint board. 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 59.

If municipality fails to provide police services

5.1 (1) If a municipality does not provide police services by one of the ways set out in section 5, the Ontario Provincial Police shall provide police services to the municipality.

Municipality to pay for O.P.P. services

(2) A municipality that is provided police services by the Ontario Provincial Police under subsection (1) shall pay the Minister of Finance for the services, in the amount and the manner provided by the regulations.

Same

(3) The amount owed by a municipality for the police services provided by the Ontario Provincial Police, if not collected by other means, may be deducted from any grant payable to the municipality out of provincial funds or may be recovered by a court action, with costs, as a debt due to Her Majesty.

Community policing advisory committee

(4) One or more municipalities served by the same Ontario Provincial Police detachment that provides police services under this section may establish a community policing advisory committee.

Composition

(5) If a community policing advisory committee is established, it shall be composed of one delegate for each municipality that is served by the same Ontario Provincial Police detachment and that chooses to send a delegate.

Functions

(6) A community policing advisory committee shall advise the detachment commander of the Ontario Provincial Police detachment assigned to the municipality or municipalities, or his or her designate, with respect to objectives and priorities for police services in the municipality or municipalities.

Term of office

(7) The term of office for a delegate to a community policing advisory committee shall be as set out by the council in his or her appointment, but shall not exceed the term of office of the council that appointed the delegate.

Same, and reappointment

(8) A delegate to a community policing advisory committee may continue to sit after the expiry of the term of office of the council that appointed him or her until the appointment of his or her successor, and is eligible for reappointment.

Protection from liability

(9) No action or other proceeding for damages shall be instituted against a community policing advisory committee or a delegate to a community policing advisory committee for any act done in good faith in the execution or intended execution of a duty or for any alleged neglect or default in the execution in good faith of a duty. 1997, c. 8, s. 5.

Amalgamation of police forces

6. (1) Despite any other Act, the councils of two or more municipalities that have police forces may enter into an agreement to amalgamate them. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 6 (1); 1997, c. 8, s. 6 (1).

Contents of amalgamation agreement

(2) The agreement shall deal with,

(a) the establishment and, subject to section 33, the composition of a joint board for the amalgamated police force;

(b) the amalgamation of the police forces and the appointment or transfer of their members;

(c) the joint board’s use of the assets and its responsibility for the liabilities associated with the police forces;

(d) the budgeting of the cost for the operation of the amalgamated police force;

(e) any other matter that is necessary or advisable to effect the amalgamation. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 6 (2); 1997, c. 8, s. 6 (2, 3).

Commission’s approval

(3) The agreement does not take effect until the Commission has approved the organization of the amalgamated police force. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 6 (3).

Exception, board appointments

(4) Appointments to a joint board for an amalgamated police force may be made before the agreement takes effect. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 6 (4); 1997, c. 8, s. 6 (4).

Municipal agreements for providing police services

6.1 (1) The councils of two municipalities may enter into an agreement for the provision of police services for one municipality by the board of the other municipality, on the conditions set out in the agreement, if the municipality that is to receive the police services is contiguous to the municipality that is to provide the police services or is contiguous to any other municipality that receives police services from the same municipality.

Advisors to board

(2) The council of a municipality that receives police services pursuant to an agreement made under subsection (1) may select a person to advise the other municipality’s board with respect to objectives and priorities for police services in the municipality that receives the police services.

Term of office

(3) The term of office for a person selected to advise another municipality’s board shall be as set by the council when the person is selected, but shall not exceed the term of office of the council that selected him or her.

Same and reappointment

(4) A person selected to advise another municipality’s board may continue to sit after the expiry of the term of office of the council that selected him or her until the selection of his or her successor, and is eligible for reappointment.

Protection from liability

(5) No action or other proceeding for damages shall be instituted against a person selected to advise another municipality’s board for any act done in good faith in the execution or intended execution of a duty or for any alleged neglect or default in the execution in good faith of a duty. 1997, c. 8, s. 7.

Municipal agreements for sharing police services

7. (1) Two or more boards may agree that one board will provide some police services to the other or others, on the conditions set out in the agreement.

Limitation

(2) Two or more boards may not agree under subsection (1) that the police force of one board will provide the other board or boards with all the police services that a municipality is required to provide under section 4.

Municipal agreements with O.P.P.

(3) The board of a municipality may agree with the Commissioner or with the local detachment commander of the Ontario Provincial Police that the Ontario Provincial Police will provide some police services to the municipality, on the conditions set out in the agreement, and subsections 10 (7) and (8) apply to the agreement. 1997, c. 8, s. 8.

Additional municipal police forces

8. (1) A municipality to which subsection 4(1) (obligation to provide police services) does not apply may, with the Commission’s approval, establish and maintain a police force.

Transition

(2) An approval given or deemed to have been given under section 19 of the Police Act, being chapter 381 of the Revised Statutes of Ontario, 1980, in respect of a police force that was being maintained on the 30th day of December, 1990, shall be deemed to have been given under this section.

Revocation

(3) The Commission may revoke an approval given or deemed to have been given under this section. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 8.

Police services absent or inadequate, O.P.P. assistance

9. (1) If the Commission finds that a municipality to which subsection 4(1) applies is not providing police services, it may request that the Commissioner have the Ontario Provincial Police give assistance.

Inadequate police services

(2) If the Commission finds that a municipal police force is not providing adequate and effective police services or is not complying with this Act or the regulations, it may communicate that finding to the board of the municipality and direct the board to take the measures that the Commission considers necessary.

Idem

(3) If the board does not comply with the direction, the Commission may request that the Commissioner have the Ontario Provincial Police give assistance.

Crown Attorney’s request

(4) In any area for which a municipality is required to provide police services, the Crown Attorney may request that the Commissioner have the Ontario Provincial Police give assistance.

Board’s request

(5) A board may, by resolution, request that the Commissioner have the Ontario Provincial Police give assistance.

Request of chief of police in emergency

(6) A municipal chief of police who is of the opinion that an emergency exists in the municipality may request that the Commissioner have the Ontario Provincial Police give assistance.

Chief of police to advise board

(7) A chief of police who makes a request under subsection (6) shall advise the chair of the board of the fact as soon as possible. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 9 (1-7).

Assistance of O.P.P.

(8) When a request is made under this section, the Commissioner shall have the Ontario Provincial Police give such temporary or emergency assistance as he or she considers necessary and shall have the Ontario Provincial Police stop giving temporary or emergency assistance when he or she considers it appropriate to do so. 1997, c. 8, s. 9 (1).

Cost of services

(9) The Commissioner shall certify the cost of the services provided under this section by the Ontario Provincial Police and, unless the Solicitor General directs otherwise, the municipality shall pay that amount to the Minister of Finance. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 9 (9); 1997, c. 8, s. 9 (2).

Same

(10) The amount owed by a municipality for the police services provided by the Ontario Provincial Police, if not collected by other means, may be deducted from any grant payable to the municipality out of provincial funds or may be recovered by a court action, with costs, as a debt due to Her Majesty. 1997, c. 8, s. 9 (3).

Municipal agreements for provision of police services by O.P.P.

10. (1) The Solicitor General may enter into an agreement with the council of a municipality or jointly with the councils of two or more municipalities for the provision of police services for the municipality or municipalities by the Ontario Provincial Police.

Board required

(2) In order for a municipality to enter into an agreement under this section, the municipality must have a board.

Same

(3) In order for two or more municipalities to enter into an agreement under this section, the municipalities must have a joint board.

Transition

(4) If an agreement under this section was entered into, before section 10 of the Police Services Amendment Act, 1997 comes into force, by a municipality that did not have a board at the time, the agreement remains valid and enforceable despite subsection (2), but the agreement may not be renewed unless the municipality has a board.

Collective bargaining

(5) No agreement shall be entered into under this section if, in the Solicitor General’s opinion, a council seeks the agreement for the purpose of defeating the collective bargaining provisions of this Act.

Duties of O.P.P.

(6) When the agreement comes into effect, the Ontario Provincial Police detachment assigned to the municipality or municipalities shall provide police services for the municipality or municipalities, and shall perform any other duties, including by-law enforcement, that are specified in the agreement.

Payment into Consolidated Revenue Fund

(7) The amounts received from municipalities under agreements entered into under this section shall be paid into the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

Collection of amounts owed

(8) The amount owed by a municipality under the agreement, if not collected by other means, may be deducted from any grant payable to the municipality out of provincial funds or may be recovered by a court action, with costs, as a debt due to Her Majesty.

Role of board

(9) If one or more municipalities enters into an agreement under this section, the board or joint board shall advise the Ontario Provincial Police detachment commander assigned to the municipality or municipalities, or his or her designate, with respect to police services in the municipality or municipalities and shall,

(a) participate in the selection of the detachment commander of the detachment assigned to the municipality or municipalities;

(b) generally determine objectives and priorities for police services, after consultation with the detachment commander or his or her designate;

(c) establish, after consultation with the detachment commander or his or her designate, any local policies with respect to police services (but the board or joint board shall not establish provincial policies of the Ontario Provincial Police with respect to police services);

(d) monitor the performance of the detachment commander;

(e) receive regular reports from the detachment commander or his or her designate on disclosures and decisions made under section 49 (secondary activities);

(f) review the detachment commander’s administration of the complaints system under Part V and receive regular reports from the detachment commander or his or her designate on his or her administration of the complaints system.

Non-application of certain sections

(10) If one or more municipalities enters into an agreement under this section, section 31 (responsibilities of board), section 38 (municipal police force) and section 39 (estimates) do not apply to the municipality or municipalities. 1997, c. 8, s. 10.

Municipalities who may receive fines

11. (1) This section applies if a municipality is entitled to receive fines paid as a result of prosecutions instituted by police officers of the municipal police force.

Idem

(2) If the municipality does not have its own police force because of an agreement under section 7 or 10, the police officers who are assigned to the municipality under the agreement shall, for the purposes of determining entitlement to fines, be deemed to be police officers of the municipal police force. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 11.

12. Repealed: 1997, c. 8, s. 11.

Special areas, services by O.P.P.

13. (1) If, because of the establishment of a business or for any other reason, special circumstances or abnormal conditions in an area make it inequitable, in the Solicitor General’s opinion, to impose the responsibility for police services on a municipality or on the Province, the Lieutenant Governor in Council may designate the area as a special area.

Agreement for provision of police services by O.P.P.

(2) The person who operates the business or owns the special area shall enter into an agreement with the Solicitor General for the provision of police services by the Ontario Provincial Police for the special area. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 13 (1, 2).

Duties of O.P.P., payment

(3) Subsections 10 (6) and (7) apply to the agreement with necessary modifications. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 13 (3); 1997, c. 8, s. 12.

Failure to enter into agreement

(4) If the person who operates the business or owns the special area does not enter into an agreement as subsection (2) requires, the Ontario Provincial Police shall provide police services for the area.

Cost of services

(5) The costs of the services may be recovered from the person by a court action, with costs, as a debt due to Her Majesty. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 13 (4, 5).

Police services outside municipality

14. A municipality that has an interest in land outside the territory of the municipality may agree to pay all or part of the cost of providing police services for the land. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 14.

Municipal by-law enforcement officers

15. (1) A municipal council may appoint persons to enforce the by-laws of the municipality. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 15 (1).

Peace officers

(2) Municipal law enforcement officers are peace officers for the purpose of enforcing municipal by-laws. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 15 (2); 1997, c. 8, s. 13.

Aid to survivors of deceased municipal police officers

16. A municipal council may grant financial or other assistance for the benefit of the surviving spouses and children of members of the municipal police force who die from injuries received or illnesses contracted in the discharge of their duties. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 16; 1999, c. 6, s. 55 (2); 2005, c. 5, s. 58 (3).

Detention facilities

16.1 Subject to the approval of the Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services, the council of every local municipality may establish, maintain and regulate detention facilities for the detention and imprisonment of persons sentenced to imprisonment therein for not more than 10 days, and of persons detained for examination on a charge of having committed any offence, or for transfer to any correctional institution for trial, or in the execution of any sentence, and such persons may be lawfully received and so detained in the detention facilities. 2001, c. 25, s. 481.

Peace officer in charge

16.2  (1) Every detention facility shall be placed in the charge of a peace officer appointed for that purpose. 2001, c. 25, s. 481.

Salary

(2) The municipal council may provide for and pay the salary or other remuneration of the peace officer in charge of a detention facility. 2001, c. 25, s. 481.

Ontario Provincial Police

Commissioner

17. (1) There shall be a Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police who shall be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 17 (1).

Functions

(2) Subject to the Solicitor General’s direction, the Commissioner has the general control and administration of the Ontario Provincial Police and the employees connected with it. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 17 (2).

Deputy Commissioners

(3) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may appoint one or more deputy Commissioners, who shall act in the place of the Commissioner if he or she is absent or unable to act, and who, when so acting, may exercise all the powers and perform all the duties of the Commissioner. 2006, c. 19, Sched. F, s. 5.

Delegation

(3.1) The Commissioner may delegate in writing any of his or her powers and duties under this Act to a deputy Commissioner, subject to any limitations, conditions and requirements set out in the delegation. 2006, c. 19, Sched. F, s. 5.

Annual report

(4) After the end of each calendar year, the Commissioner shall file with the Solicitor General an annual report on the affairs of the Ontario Provincial Police. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 17 (4).

Composition of O.P.P.

18. (1) The Ontario Provincial Police shall consist of the Commissioner and other police officers appointed under the Public Service Act.

Ranks

(2) The Commissioner shall establish the ranks within the Ontario Provincial Police and shall determine the rank of each police officer.

Commissioned officers

(3) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may name police officers of the Ontario Provincial Police to the rank of commissioned officers and may authorize the issue of commissions to them under the Great Seal.

Employees

(4) The Commissioner may appoint such other employees as are required in connection with the Ontario Provincial Police. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 18.

Responsibilities of O.P.P.

19. (1) The Ontario Provincial Police have the following responsibilities:

1. Providing police services in respect of the parts of Ontario that do not have municipal police forces other than municipal law enforcement officers.

2. Providing police services in respect of all navigable bodies and courses of water in Ontario, except those that lie within municipalities designated by the Solicitor General.

3. Maintaining a traffic patrol on the King’s Highway, except the parts designated by the Solicitor General.

4. Maintaining a traffic patrol on the connecting links within the meaning of section 21 of the Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act that are designated by the Solicitor General.

5. Maintaining investigative services to assist municipal police forces on the Solicitor General’s direction or at the Crown Attorney’s request. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 19 (1); 1997, c. 8, s. 14 (1).

Municipal by-laws

(2) The Ontario Provincial Police have no responsibilities in connection with municipal by-laws, except under agreements made in accordance with section 10. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 19 (2).

O.P.P. may charge for services

(3) The Ontario Provincial Police may, with the approval of the Solicitor General, charge a municipality, a law enforcement agency or any prescribed corporation or organization for any service it provides to them under this Act.

Payment into Consolidated Revenue Fund

(4) The amounts received pursuant to a charge imposed under subsection (3) shall be paid into the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

Collection of amounts owed

(5) The amount owed pursuant to a charge imposed under subsection (3), if not collected by other means, may be recovered by a court action, with costs, as a debt due to Her Majesty and, if the amount is owed by a municipality, may be deducted from any grant payable to the municipality out of provincial funds. 1997, c. 8, s. 14 (2).

Aid to survivors of deceased O.P.P. police officers

20. The Lieutenant Governor in Council may, out of money appropriated for that purpose by the Legislature, grant financial or other assistance for the benefit of the surviving spouses and children of members of the Ontario Provincial Police who die from injuries received or illnesses contracted in the discharge of their duties. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 20; 1999, c. 6, s. 55 (3); 2005, c. 5, s. 58 (4).

PART II
ONTARIO CIVILIAN COMMISSION ON POLICE SERVICES

Composition of Commission, etc.

21. (1) The commission known in English as the Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services and in French as Commission civile des services policiers de l’Ontario is continued. 1997, c. 8, s. 15.

Membership

(2) The Commission shall consist of such members as are appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. 1997, c. 8, s. 15.

Chair, vice-chairs

(3) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may designate one of the members of the Commission to be the chair and one or more members of the Commission to be vice-chairs. 1997, c. 8, s. 15.

Employees

(4) Such employees as the Commission considers necessary to carry out its duties may be appointed under the Public Service Act. 1997, c. 8, s. 15.

Delegation

(5) The chair may authorize a member or employee of the Commission to exercise the Commission’s powers and perform its duties with respect to a particular matter, but the authority conferred on the Commission by sections 23 and 24 may not be delegated. 1997, c. 8, s. 15.

Quorum

(6) The chair shall determine the number of members of the Commission that constitutes a quorum for any purpose, and may determine that one member constitutes a quorum. 1997, c. 8, s. 15.

Annual report

(7) After the end of each calendar year, the Commission shall file with the Solicitor General an annual report on its affairs. 1997, c. 8, s. 15.

Expenses

(8) The money required for the Commission’s purposes shall be paid out of the amounts appropriated by the Legislature for that purpose. 1997, c. 8, s. 15.

Protection from personal liability

(9) No action or other proceeding for damages shall be instituted against a member of the Commission for any act done in good faith in the execution or intended execution of his or her duty or for any alleged neglect or default in the execution in good faith of that duty. 1997, c. 8, s. 15.

Confidentiality

(10) Each member of the Commission shall preserve secrecy in respect of all information obtained in the course of his or her duties under this Act and shall not communicate any such information to any person, except,

(a) as may be required in connection with the administration of this Act and the regulations;

(b) to his or her counsel; or

(c) with the consent of the person, if any, to whom the information relates. 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 60.

Exception – law enforcement purposes

(11) Despite subsection (10), the chair of the Commission or his or her designate may communicate any information obtained in the course of their duties under this Act as may be required for law enforcement purposes. 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 60.

Testimony

(12) No member or employee of the Commission shall be required to give testimony in any civil suit or proceeding with regard to information obtained in the course of his or her duties. 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 60.

Powers and duties of Commission

22. (1) The Commission’s powers and duties include,

(a) if the Solicitor General advises the Commission that a board or municipal police force is not complying with prescribed standards of police services,

(i) directing the board or police force to comply, and

(ii) if the Commission considers it appropriate, taking measures in accordance with subsection 23(1);

(b) Repealed: 1995, c. 4, s. 4 (3).

(c) conducting investigations with respect to municipal police matters under section 25;

(d) conducting inquiries into matters relating to crime and law enforcement under section 26;

(e) conducting inquiries, on its own motion, in respect of a complaint or complaints made about the policies of or services provided by a police force or about the conduct of a police officer and the disposition of such complaint or complaints by a chief of police or board;

(e.1) conducting reviews under section 72, at the request of a complainant, into the decision that a complaint is about the policies of or services provided by a police force or is about the conduct of a police officer, that a complaint is frivolous or vexatious, made in bad faith or unsubstantiated, that the complaint will not be dealt with because it was made more than six months after the facts on which it is based occurred, that the complainant was not directly affected by the policy, service or conduct that is the subject of the complaint or that the misconduct or unsatisfactory work performance was not of a serious nature;

(e.2) making recommendations with respect to the policies of or services provided by a police force by sending the recommendations, with any supporting documents, to the Solicitor General, the chief of police, the association, if any, and, in the case of a municipal police force, the board;

(f) hearing and disposing of appeals by members of police forces and complainants in accordance with Part V. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 22 (1); 1995, c. 4, s. 4 (3); 1997, c. 8, s. 16 (1-3).

Powers of Commission in investigations and inquiries

(2) When the Commission conducts an investigation or inquiry, it has all the powers of a commission under Part II of the Public Inquiries Act, which Part applies to the investigation or inquiry as if it were an inquiry under that Act.

Statutory Powers Procedure Act applicable to hearings

(3) The Statutory Powers Procedure Act does not apply to the Commission, except to a hearing conducted by the Commission under subsection 23 (1), 25 (4), (4.1) or (5), 39 (5), 47 (5), 65 (9), 70 (2), (3) or (4) or 116 (1). 1997, c. 8, s. 16 (4).

Sanctions for failure to comply with prescribed standards of police services

23. (1) If the Commission is of the opinion, after holding a hearing, that a board or municipal police force has flagrantly or repeatedly failed to comply with prescribed standards of police services, the Commission may take any of the following measures or any combination of them:

1. Suspending the chief of police, one or more members of the board, or the whole board, for a specified period.

2. Removing the chief of police, one or more members of the board, or the whole board from office.

3. Disbanding the police force and requiring the Ontario Provincial Police to provide police services for the municipality.

4. Appointing an administrator to perform specified functions with respect to police matters in the municipality for a specified period. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 23 (1).

(2) Repealed: 1995, c. 4, s. 4 (4).

Note: All hearings before the Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services under subsection 23 (2) that were commenced but not concluded before December 14, 1995 are hereby discontinued, without costs. See: 1995, c. 4, s. 4 (12).

Suspension with or without pay

(3) If the Commission suspends the chief of police or members of the board who are entitled to remuneration under subsection 27(12), it shall specify whether the suspension is with or without pay. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 23 (3).

(4) Repealed: 1995, c. 4, s. 4 (4).

Powers of administrator

(5) An administrator appointed under paragraph 4 of subsection (1) has all the powers necessary for the performance of his or her functions. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 23 (5); 1995, c. 4, s. 4 (5).

Replacement of chief of police

(6) If the Commission suspends or removes the chief of police, it may appoint a person to replace him or her.

Parties

(7) The parties to the hearing are the chief of police, the board, any member of the board that the Commission designates and, if the Commission so directs, the association or associations representing members of the police force.

Idem

(8) The Commission may add parties at any stage of the hearing on the conditions it considers proper.

Replacement of suspended or removed member

(9) If the Commission suspends a member of a board or removes him or her from office, the municipal council or the Lieutenant Governor in Council, as the case may be, shall appoint a person to replace the member.

Consequences of removal and suspension

(10) A member who has been removed shall not subsequently be a member of any board, and a member who has been suspended shall not be reappointed during the period of suspension.

Appeal to Divisional Court

(11) A party may appeal to the Divisional Court within thirty days of receiving notice of the Commission’s decision.

Grounds for appeal

(12) An appeal may be made on a question that is not a question of fact alone, or from a penalty, or both. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 23 (6-12).

(13) Repealed: 1995, c. 4, s. 4 (6).

(14) Repealed: 1995, c. 4, s. 4 (6).

Emergency, interim order

24. (1) The Commission may make an interim order under subsection 23(1), without notice and without holding a hearing, if it is of the opinion that an emergency exists and that the interim order is necessary in the public interest.

Restriction

(2) The Commission shall not remove a person from office or disband a police force by means of an interim order. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 24.

Investigations into police matters

25.  (1) The Commission may, at the Solicitor General’s request, at a municipal council’s request, at a board’s request or of its own motion, investigate, inquire into and report on,

(a) the conduct or the performance of duties of a police officer, a municipal chief of police, an auxiliary member of a police force, a special constable, a municipal law enforcement officer or a member of a board;

(b) the administration of a municipal police force;

(c) the manner in which police services are provided for a municipality;

(d) the police needs of a municipality. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 25 (1); 1997, c. 8, s. 17 (1, 2).

Cost of investigation

(2) The cost of an investigation conducted at a council’s request shall be paid by the municipality, unless the Solicitor General directs otherwise.

Report

(3) The Commission shall communicate its report of an investigation under subsection (1) to the Solicitor General at his or her request and to the board or council at its request, and may communicate the report to any other person as the Commission considers advisable. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 25 (2, 3).

Actions taken, police officer, municipal chief of police

(4) If the Commission concludes, after a hearing, that the conduct of a police officer or municipal chief of police is proved on clear and convincing evidence to be misconduct or unsatisfactory work performance, it may direct that any action described in section 68, as specified by the Commission, be taken with respect to the police officer or municipal chief of police or it may direct that the police officer or municipal chief of police be retired if he or she is entitled to retire.

Actions taken, auxiliary member, special constable, municipal law enforcement officer

(4.1) If the Commission concludes, after a hearing, that an auxiliary member of a police force, a special constable or a municipal law enforcement officer is not performing or is incapable of performing the duties of his or her position in a satisfactory manner, it may direct that,

(a) the person be demoted as the Commission specifies, permanently or for a specified period;

(b) the person be dismissed;

(c) the person be retired, if the person is entitled to retire; or

(d) the person’s appointment be suspended or revoked. 1997, c. 8, s. 17 (3).

Penalties, member of board

(5) If the Commission concludes, after a hearing, that a member of a board is guilty of misconduct or is not performing or is incapable of performing the duties of his or her position in a satisfactory manner, it may remove or suspend the member.

Appeal to Divisional Court

(6) A member of a police force or of a board on whom a penalty is imposed under subsection (4) or (5) may appeal to the Divisional Court within thirty days of receiving notice of the Commission’s decision.

Grounds for appeal

(7) An appeal may be made on a question that is not a question of fact alone, or from a penalty, or both.

Replacement of suspended or removed member

(8) If the Commission suspends a member of a board or removes him or her from office, the municipal council or the Lieutenant Governor in Council, as the case may be, shall appoint a person to replace the member.

Consequences of removal and suspension

(9) A member who has been removed shall not subsequently be a member of any board, and a member who has been suspended shall not be reappointed during the period of suspension. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 25 (5-9).

Inquiries respecting crime and law enforcement

26. (1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may direct the Commission to inquire into and report to the Lieutenant Governor in Council on any matter relating to crime or law enforcement, and shall define the scope of the inquiry in the direction. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 26 (1); 1997, c. 8, s. 18.

Public Inquiries Act applies

(2) Section 6 (stated case) of the Public Inquiries Act applies to inquiries conducted under this section.

Rights of witnesses

(3) Witnesses at inquiries conducted under this section have the right to retain and instruct counsel and all the other rights of witnesses in civil courts.

Offence

(4) Any person who knowingly discloses, without the Commission’s consent, evidence taken in private at an inquiry conducted under this section or information likely to identify the witness is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not more than $5,000. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 26 (2-4).

PART III
MUNICIPAL POLICE SERVICES BOARDS

Police services boards

27. (1) There shall be a police services board or, as provided in subsection 5 (3), one or more police services boards, for every municipality that maintains a police force. 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 61 (1).

Boards of commissioners of police continued as police services boards

(2) Every board of commissioners of police constituted or continued under the Police Act, being chapter 381 of the Revised Statutes of Ontario, 1980, or any other Act and in existence on the 31st day of December, 1990, is continued as a police services board. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 27 (2).

Name

(3) A board shall be known as (insert name of municipality) Police Services Board and may also be known as Commission des services policiers de (insert name of municipality). R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 27 (3).

Three-member boards in smaller municipalities

(4) The board of a municipality whose population according to the last enumeration taken under section 15 of the Assessment Act does not exceed 25,000 shall consist of,

(a) the head of the municipal council or, if the head chooses not to be a member of the board, another member of the council appointed by resolution of the council;

(b) one person appointed by resolution of the council, who is neither a member of the council nor an employee of the municipality; and

(c) one person appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. 1997, c. 8, s. 19 (1).

Five-member boards in larger municipalities

(5) The board of a municipality whose population according to the last enumeration taken under section 15 of the Assessment Act exceeds 25,000 shall consist of,

(a) the head of the municipal council or, if the head chooses not to be a member of the board, another member of the council appointed by resolution of the council;

(b) one member of the council appointed by resolution of the council;

(c) one person appointed by resolution of the council, who is neither a member of the council nor an employee of the municipality; and

(d) two persons appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. 1997, c. 8, s. 19 (1); 2002, c. 17, Sched. F, Table.

Smaller municipalities, option to expand board

(6) The council of a municipality to which subsection (4) would otherwise apply may determine, by resolution, that the composition of its board shall be as described in subsection (5). R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 27 (6).

Transition

(7) A resolution passed under clause 8(2a)(b) of the Police Act, being chapter 381 of the Revised Statutes of Ontario, 1980, before the 31st day of December, 1990, shall be deemed to have been passed under subsection (6). R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 27 (7).

(8) Repealed: 2002, c. 17, Sched. F, Table.

Seven-member boards in certain circumstances

(9) The council of a municipality whose population according to the last enumeration taken under section 15 of the Assessment Act exceeds 300,000 may apply to the Lieutenant Governor in Council for an increase in the size of its board; if the Lieutenant Governor in Council approves the application, the board shall consist of,

(a) the head of the municipal council or, if the head chooses not to be a member of the board, another member of the council appointed by resolution of the council;

(b) two members of the council appointed by resolution of the council;

(c) one person appointed by resolution of the council, who is neither a member of the council nor an employee of the municipality; and

(d) three persons appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. 1997, c. 8, s. 19 (1).

Vacancies

(10) If the position of a member appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council becomes vacant, the Solicitor General may appoint a replacement to act until the Lieutenant Governor in Council makes a new appointment. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 27 (10).

Term of office

(10.1) The term of office for a member appointed by resolution of a council shall be as set out by the council in his or her appointment, but shall not exceed the term of office of the council that appointed the member. 1997, c. 8, s. 19 (2).

Same, and reappointment

(10.2) A member appointed by resolution of a council may continue to sit after the expiry of his or her term of office until the appointment of his or her successor, and is eligible for reappointment. 1997, c. 8, s. 19 (2).

Idem

(11) If the position of a member who is appointed by a municipal council or holds office by virtue of being the head of a municipal council becomes vacant, the board shall notify the council, which shall forthwith appoint a replacement. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 27 (11).

Remuneration

(12) The council shall pay the members of the board who are appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council or Solicitor General remuneration that is at least equal to the prescribed amount. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 27 (12).

Persons who are ineligible to be members of a board

(13) A judge, a justice of the peace, a police officer and a person who practises criminal law as a defence counsel may not be a member of a board. 1997, c. 8, s. 19 (3).

Interpretation of municipal populations where more than one board

(14) Where there is more than one board in a municipality pursuant to subsection 5 (3), the references in subsections (4), (5) and (9) to the population of a municipality shall be read as references to the population of the part of the municipality that is served by the board that is the subject of the subsection. 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 61 (2).

(15) Repealed: 1997, c. 8, s. 19 (3).

Election of chair

28. (1) The members of a board shall elect a chair at the board’s first meeting in each year. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 28.

Vice-chair

(2) The members of a board may also elect a vice-chair at the first meeting in each year, and the vice-chair shall act as the chair if the chair is absent or if the chair’s position is vacant. 1997, c. 8, s. 20.

Protection from personal liability

29. (1) No action or other proceeding for damages shall be instituted against a member of a board for any act done in good faith in the execution or intended execution of his or her duty or for any alleged neglect or default in the execution in good faith of that duty.

Board’s liability

(2) Subsection (1) does not relieve a board of liability for a member’s acts or omissions, and the board is liable as if that subsection had not been enacted and as if the member were the board’s employee. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 29.

Board may contract, sue and be sued

30. (1) A board may contract, sue and be sued in its own name.

Members not liable for board’s contracts

(2) The members of a board are not personally liable for the board’s contracts. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 30.

Responsibilities of boards

31. (1) A board is responsible for the provision of adequate and effective police services in the municipality and shall,

(a) appoint the members of the municipal police force;

(b) generally determine, after consultation with the chief of police, objectives and priorities with respect to police services in the municipality;

(c) establish policies for the effective management of the police force;

(d) recruit and appoint the chief of police and any deputy chief of police, and annually determine their remuneration and working conditions, taking their submissions into account;

(e) direct the chief of police and monitor his or her performance;

(f) establish policies respecting the disclosure by chiefs of police of personal information about individuals;

(g) receive regular reports from the chief of police on disclosures and decisions made under section 49 (secondary activities);

(h) establish guidelines with respect to the indemnification of members of the police force for legal costs under section 50;

(i) establish guidelines for dealing with complaints made under Part V;

(j) review the chief of police’s administration of the complaints system under Part V and receive regular reports from the chief of police on his or her administration of the complaints system. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 31 (1); 1995, c. 4, s. 4 (7); 1997, c. 8, s. 21 (1-3); 1997, c. 17, s. 8.

Members of police force under board’s jurisdiction

(2) The members of the police force, whether they were appointed by the board or not, are under the board’s jurisdiction.

Restriction

(3) The board may give orders and directions to the chief of police, but not to other members of the police force, and no individual member of the board shall give orders or directions to any member of the police force.

Idem

(4) The board shall not direct the chief of police with respect to specific operational decisions or with respect to the day-to-day operation of the police force.

Training of board members

(5) The board shall ensure that its members undergo any training that the Solicitor General may provide or require.

Rules re management of police force

(6) The board may, by by-law, make rules for the effective management of the police force. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 31 (2-6).

Guidelines re secondary activities

(7) The board may establish guidelines consistent with section 49 for disclosing secondary activities and for deciding whether to permit such activities. 1997, c. 8, s. 21 (4).

Oath of office

32. Before entering on the duties of office, a member of a board shall take an oath or affirmation of office in the prescribed form. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 32.

Agreement to constitute joint board

33. (1) Despite any special Act, the councils of two or more municipalities may enter into an agreement to constitute a joint board.

Consent of Solicitor General required

(2) The agreement must be authorized by by-laws of the councils of the participating municipalities and requires the consent of the Solicitor General.

Application of Act to joint boards

(3) The provisions of this Act that apply to boards also apply with necessary modifications to joint boards.

Three-member joint boards

(4) The joint board of municipalities whose combined population according to the last enumeration taken under section 15 of the Assessment Act does not exceed 25,000 shall consist of,

(a) one person who is a member of the council of a participating municipality, appointed by agreement of the councils of the participating municipalities;

(b) one person appointed by agreement of the councils of the participating municipalities, who is neither a member of a council of a participating municipality nor an employee of a participating municipality; and

(c) one person appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

Five-member joint boards

(5) The joint board of municipalities whose combined population according to the last enumeration taken under section 15 of the Assessment Act exceeds 25,000 shall consist of,

(a) two persons who are members of the councils of any participating municipalities, appointed by agreement of the councils of the participating municipalities;

(b) one person appointed by agreement of the councils of the participating municipalities, who is neither a member of a council of a participating municipality nor an employee of a participating municipality; and

(c) two persons appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

Option to expand joint board

(6) The councils of participating municipalities to which subsection (4) would otherwise apply may determine, by resolution of each of them, that the composition of their joint board shall be as described in subsection (5).

Seven-member joint boards

(7) Where the combined population of the participating municipalities according to the last enumeration taken under section 15 of the Assessment Act exceeds 300,000, the councils of the participating municipalities may apply to the Lieutenant Governor in Council for an increase in the size of their joint board; if the Lieutenant Governor in Council approves the application, the joint board shall consist of,

(a) three persons who are members of the councils of any participating municipalities, appointed by agreement of the councils of the participating municipalities;

(b) one person appointed by agreement of the councils of the participating municipalities, who is neither a member of a council of a participating municipality nor an employee of a participating municipality; and

(c) three persons appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. 1997, c. 8, s. 22.

Delegation

34. A board may delegate to two or more of its members any authority conferred on it by this Act, except,

(a) Repealed: 1997, c. 8, s. 23.

(b) the authority to bargain under Part VIII, which the board may delegate to one or more members. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 34; 1997, c. 8, s. 23.

Meetings

35. (1) The board shall hold at least four meetings each year.

Quorum

(2) A majority of the members of the board constitutes a quorum.

Proceedings open to the public

(3) Meetings and hearings conducted by the board shall be open to the public, subject to subsection (4), and notice of them shall be published in the manner that the board determines.

Exception

(4) The board may exclude the public from all or part of a meeting or hearing if it is of the opinion that,

(a) matters involving public security may be disclosed and, having regard to the circumstances, the desirability of avoiding their disclosure in the public interest outweighs the desirability of adhering to the principle that proceedings be open to the public; or

(b) intimate financial or personal matters or other matters may be disclosed of such a nature, having regard to the circumstances, that the desirability of avoiding their disclosure in the interest of any person affected or in the public interest outweighs the desirability of adhering to the principle that proceedings be open to the public. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 35.

Evidence of by-laws

36. A document purporting to be a by-law of the board signed by a member or purporting to be a copy of such a by-law certified correct by a member is admissible in evidence without proof of the signature or authority of the person signing. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 36.

Rules and procedures

37. A board shall establish its own rules and procedures in performing its duties under this Act and, except when conducting a hearing under subsection 65 (9), the Statutory Powers Procedure Act does not apply to a board. 1997, c. 8, s. 24.

Municipal police force

38. A municipal police force shall consist of a chief of police and such other police officers and other employees as are adequate, and shall be provided with adequate equipment and facilities. 1997, c. 8, s. 25. 

Estimates

39. (1) The board shall submit operating and capital estimates to the municipal council that will show, separately, the amounts that will be required,

(a) to maintain the police force and provide it with equipment and facilities; and

(b) to pay the expenses of the board’s operation other than the remuneration of board members.

Same

(2) The format of the estimates, the period that they cover and the timetable for their submission shall be as determined by the council.

Budget

(3) Upon reviewing the estimates, the council shall establish an overall budget for the board for the purposes described in clauses (1) (a) and (b) and, in doing so, the council is not bound to adopt the estimates submitted by the board.

Same

(4) In establishing an overall budget for the board, the council does not have the authority to approve or disapprove specific items in the estimates.

Commission hearing in case of dispute

(5) If the board is not satisfied that the budget established for it by the council is sufficient to maintain an adequate number of police officers or other employees of the police force or to provide the police force with adequate equipment or facilities, the board may request that the Commission determine the question and the Commission, shall, after a hearing, do so. 1997, c. 8, s. 26.

Reduction or abolition of police force

40. (1) A board may terminate the employment of a member of the police force for the purpose of abolishing the police force or reducing its size if the Commission consents and if the abolition or reduction does not contravene this Act.

Criteria for Commission’s consent

(2) The Commission shall consent to the termination of the employment of a member of the police force under subsection (1) only if,

(a) the member and the board have made an agreement dealing with severance pay or agreed to submit the matter to arbitration; or

(b) the Commission has made an order under subsection (3).

Order imposing arbitration

(3) If the member and the board do not make an agreement dealing with severance pay and do not agree to submit the matter to arbitration, the Commission, if it is of the opinion that it would be appropriate to permit the abolition of the police force or the reduction of its size, may order the member and the board to submit the matter to arbitration and may give any necessary directions in that connection.

Arbitration

(4) Section 124 applies to an arbitration referred to in this section with necessary modifications. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 40.

PART IV
POLICE OFFICERS AND OTHER POLICE STAFF

Chief of Police

Duties of chief of police

41. (1) The duties of a chief of police include,

(a) in the case of a municipal police force, administering the police force and overseeing its operation in accordance with the objectives, priorities and policies established by the board under subsection 31(1);

(b) ensuring that members of the police force carry out their duties in accordance with this Act and the regulations and in a manner that reflects the needs of the community, and that discipline is maintained in the police force;

(c) ensuring that the police force provides community-oriented police services;

(d) administering the complaints system in accordance with Part V. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 41 (1); 1995, c. 4, s. 4 (8, 9); 1997, c. 8, s. 27.

Power to disclose personal information

(1.1) Despite any other Act, a chief of police, or a person designated by him or her for the purpose of this subsection, may disclose personal information about an individual in accordance with the regulations.

Purpose of disclosure

(1.2) Any disclosure made under subsection (1.1) shall be for one or more of the following purposes:

1. Protection of the public.

2. Protection of victims of crime.

3. Keeping victims of crime informed of the law enforcement, judicial or correctional processes relevant to the crime that affected them.

4. Law enforcement.

5. Correctional purposes.

6. Administration of justice.

7. Enforcement of and compliance with any federal or provincial Act, regulation or government program.

8. Keeping the public informed of the law enforcement, judicial or correctional processes respecting any individual.

Same

(1.3) Any disclosure made under subsection (1.1) shall be deemed to be in compliance with clauses 42 (e) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and 32 (e) of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Same

(1.4) If personal information is disclosed under subsection (1.1) to a ministry, agency or institution, the ministry, agency or institution shall collect such information and subsections 39 (2) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and 29 (2) of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act do not apply to that collection of personal information. 1997, c. 17, s. 9.

Chief of police reports to board

(2) The chief of police reports to the board and shall obey its lawful orders and directions. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 41 (2).

Police Officers

Duties of police officer

42. (1) The duties of a police officer include,

(a) preserving the peace;

(b) preventing crimes and other offences and providing assistance and encouragement to other persons in their prevention;

(c) assisting victims of crime;

(d) apprehending criminals and other offenders and others who may lawfully be taken into custody;

(e) laying charges and participating in prosecutions;

(f) executing warrants that are to be executed by police officers and performing related duties;

(g) performing the lawful duties that the chief of police assigns;

(h) in the case of a municipal police force and in the case of an agreement under section 10(agreement for provision of police services by O.P.P.), enforcing municipal by-laws;

(i) completing the prescribed training. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 42 (1); 1997, c. 8, s. 28.

Power to act throughout Ontario

(2) A police officer has authority to act as such throughout Ontario.

Powers and duties of common law constable

(3) A police officer has the powers and duties ascribed to a constable at common law. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 42 (2, 3).

Criteria for hiring

43. (1) No person shall be appointed as a police officer unless he or she,

(a) is a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada;

(b) is at least eighteen years of age;

(c) is physically and mentally able to perform the duties of the position, having regard to his or her own safety and the safety of members of the public;

(d) is of good moral character and habits; and

(e) has successfully completed at least four years of secondary school education or its equivalent.

Idem

(2) A candidate for appointment as a police officer shall provide any relevant information or material that is lawfully requested in connection with his or her application. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 43.

Probationary period

44. (1) A municipal police officer’s probationary period begins on the day he or she is appointed and ends on the later of,

(a) the first anniversary of the day of appointment;

(b) the first anniversary of the day the police officer completes an initial period of training at the Ontario Police College.

Time for completing initial training

(2) The police officer shall complete the initial period of training within six months of the day of appointment. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 44 (1, 2).

Termination of employment during probationary period

(3) A board may terminate a police officer’s employment at any time during his or her probationary period but, before doing so, shall give the police officer reasonable information with respect to the reasons for the termination and an opportunity to reply, orally or in writing, as the board may determine. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 44 (3); 1997, c. 8, s. 29 (1).

Part V does not apply

(3.1) Part V does not apply in the case of the termination of a police officer’s employment under subsection (3). 1997, c. 8, s. 29 (2).

Only one probationary period

(4) Subsections (1), (2) and (3) do not apply to a police officer who has completed a probationary period with another municipal police force, the Ontario Provincial Police, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or a prescribed police force outside Ontario. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 44 (4); 1997, c. 8, s. 29 (3).

Oaths of office and secrecy

45. A person appointed to be a police officer shall, before entering on the duties of his or her office, take oaths or affirmations of office and secrecy in the prescribed form. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 45.

Political activity

46. No municipal police officer shall engage in political activity, except as the regulations permit. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 46.

Members of Police Forces

Accommodation of needs of disabled member of municipal police force

47. (1) Subject to subsection (2), if a member of a municipal police force becomes mentally or physically disabled and as a result is incapable of performing the essential duties of the position, the board shall accommodate his or her needs in accordance with the Human Rights Code.

Undue hardship

(2) The board may discharge the member, or retire him or her if entitled to retire, if, after holding a hearing at which the evidence of two legally qualified medical practitioners is received, the board,

(a) determines, on the basis of that evidence, that the member is mentally or physically disabled and as a result incapable of performing the essential duties of the position, and what duties the member is capable of performing; and

(b) concludes that the member’s needs cannot be accommodated without undue hardship on the board.

Idem, O.P.P.

(3) Subject to subsection (4), if a member of the Ontario Provincial Police becomes mentally or physically disabled and as a result is incapable of performing the essential duties of the position, the Commissioner shall accommodate the member’s needs in accordance with the Human Rights Code.

Idem

(4) The member may be discharged, or retired if entitled to retire, if, after holding a hearing at which the evidence of two legally qualified medical practitioners is received, the Commissioner or a person whom he or she designates,

(a) determines, on the basis of that evidence, that the member is mentally or physically disabled and as a result incapable of performing the essential duties of the position, and what duties the member is capable of performing; and

(b) concludes that the member’s needs cannot be accommodated without undue hardship on the Crown in right of Ontario.

Appeal

(5) A member of a police force who is discharged or retired under subsection (2) or (4) may appeal to the Commission by serving a written notice on the Commission and on the board or the Commissioner, as the case may be, within thirty days of receiving notice of the decision.

Powers of Commission

(6) The Commission may confirm, alter or revoke the decision or may require the board or Commissioner, as the case may be, to rehear the matter.

Decision

(7) The Commission shall promptly give written notice of its decision, with reasons, to the appellant and to the board or Commissioner, as the case may be.

Participation of members of Commission

(8) No member of the Commission shall participate in the decision unless he or she was present throughout the hearing of the appeal and, except with the consent of the appellant, no decision of the Commission shall be given unless all members who were present throughout the hearing participate in the decision. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 47.

48.  Repealed: 1995, c. 4, s. 4 (10).

Restrictions on secondary activities

49. (1) A member of a police force shall not engage in any activity,

(a) that interferes with or influences adversely the performance of his or her duties as a member of a police force, or is likely to do so;

(b) that places him or her in a position of conflict of interest, or is likely to do so;

(c) that would otherwise constitute full-time employment for another person; or

(d) in which he or she has an advantage derived from employment as a member of a police force.

Exception, paid duty

(2) Clause (1)(d) does not prohibit a member of a police force from performing, in a private capacity, services that have been arranged through the police force. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 49 (1, 2).

Disclosure to chief of police

(3) A member of a police force who proposes to undertake an activity that may contravene subsection (1) or who becomes aware that an activity that he or she has already undertaken may do so shall disclose full particulars of the situation to the chief of police or, in the case of a chief of police, to the board. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 49 (3); 1997, c. 8, s. 30 (1).

Decision of chief of police or board

(4) The chief of police or the board, as the case may be, shall decide whether the member is permitted to engage in the activity and the member shall comply with that decision. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 49 (4); 1997, c. 8, s. 30 (2).

Liability for torts

50. (1) The board or the Crown in right of Ontario, as the case may be, is liable in respect of torts committed by members of the police force in the course of their employment.

Indemnification of member of municipal police force

(2) The board may, in accordance with the guidelines established under clause 31(1)(h), indemnify a member of the police force for reasonable legal costs incurred,

(a) in the defence of a civil action, if the member is not found to be liable;

(b) in the defence of a criminal prosecution, if the member is found not guilty;

(c) in respect of any other proceeding in which the member’s manner of execution of the duties of his or her employment was an issue, if the member is found to have acted in good faith. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 50 (1, 2).

Agreement

(3) A majority of the members of a police force and the board may, in an agreement made under Part VIII, provide for indemnification for the legal costs of members of the police force, except the legal costs of a member who is found guilty of a criminal offence; if such an agreement exists, the board shall indemnify members in accordance with the agreement and subsection (2) does not apply. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 50 (3); 1997, c. 8, s. 31 (1).

Council responsible for board’s liabilities

(4) The council is responsible for the liabilities incurred by the board under subsections (1), (2) and (3). R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 50 (4).

Indemnification of member of O.P.P.

(5) The Minister of Finance may indemnify, out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, a member of the Ontario Provincial Police for reasonable legal costs incurred,

(a) in the defence of a civil action, if the member is not found to be liable;

(b) in the defence of a criminal prosecution, if the member is found not guilty;

(c) in respect of any other proceeding in which the member’s manner of execution of the duties of his or her employment was an issue, if the member is found to have acted in good faith. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 50 (5); 1997, c. 8, s. 31 (2).

Agreement

(6) The Ontario Provincial Police Association and the Crown in right of Ontario may, in an agreement made under the Public Service Act, provide for indemnification for the legal costs of members of the police force, except the legal costs of a member who is found guilty of a criminal offence; if such an agreement exists, the Minister of Finance shall indemnify members in accordance with the agreement and subsection (5) does not apply. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 50 (6); 1997, c. 8, s. 31 (3).

Police cadets

51. (1) With the board’s approval, a municipal chief of police may appoint persons as police cadets to undergo training.

Idem

(2) A police cadet is a member of the municipal police force. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 51.

Auxiliary members of municipal police force

52. (1) With the Solicitor General’s approval, a board may appoint auxiliary members of the police force. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 52 (1); 1997, c. 8, s. 32 (1).

Notice of suspension or termination

(2) If the board suspends or terminates the appointment of an auxiliary member of the police force, it shall promptly give the Solicitor General written notice of the suspension or termination. 1997, c. 8, s. 32 (2).

Auxiliary members of O.P.P.

(3) The Commissioner may appoint auxiliary members of the Ontario Provincial Police. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 52 (3).

Same

(3.1) The Commissioner also has the power to suspend or terminate the appointment of an auxiliary member of the police force.

Information and opportunity to reply

(3.2) Before the auxiliary member’s appointment is terminated under subsection (2) or (3.1), he or she shall be given reasonable information with respect to the reasons for the termination and an opportunity to reply, orally or in writing, as the board or Commissioner, as the case may be, may determine. 1997, c. 8, s. 32 (3).

Authority of auxiliary members of police force

(4) An auxiliary member of a police force has the authority of a police officer if he or she is accompanied or supervised by a police officer and is authorized to perform police duties by the chief of police.

Restriction

(5) The chief of police may authorize an auxiliary member of the police force to perform police duties only in special circumstances, including an emergency, that the police officers of the police force are not sufficiently numerous to deal with.

Oaths of office and secrecy

(6) A person appointed to be an auxiliary member of a police force shall, before entering on the duties of his or her office, take oaths or affirmations of office and secrecy in the prescribed form. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 52 (4-6).

Special Constables

Appointment of special constables

By board

53. (1) With the Solicitor General’s approval, a board may appoint a special constable to act for the period, area and purpose that the board considers expedient. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 53 (1); 1997, c. 8, s. 33 (1).

By Commissioner

(2) With the Solicitor General’s approval, the Commissioner may appoint a special constable to act for the period, area and purpose that the Commissioner considers expedient. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 53 (2); 1997, c. 8, s. 33 (2).

Powers of police officer

(3) The appointment of a special constable may confer on him or her the powers of a police officer, to the extent and for the specific purpose set out in the appointment.

Restriction

(4) A special constable shall not be employed by a police force to perform on a permanent basis, whether part-time or full-time, all the usual duties of a police officer. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 53 (3, 4).

Idem

(5) Subsection (4) does not prohibit police forces from authorizing special constables to escort and convey persons in custody and to perform duties related to the responsibilities of boards under Part X. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 53 (5); 1997, c. 8, s. 33 (3).

Suspension or termination of appointment

(6) The power to appoint a special constable includes the power to suspend or terminate the appointment, but if a board or the Commissioner suspends or terminates an appointment, written notice shall promptly be given to the Solicitor General.

Same

(7) The Solicitor General also has power to suspend or terminate the appointment of a special constable.

Information and opportunity to reply

(8) Before a special constable’s appointment is terminated, he or she shall be given reasonable information with respect to the reasons for the termination and an opportunity to reply, orally or in writing as the board, Commissioner or Solicitor General, as the case may be, may determine. 1997, c. 8, s. 33 (4).

Oaths of office and secrecy

(9) A person appointed to be a special constable shall, before entering on the duties of his or her office, take oaths or affirmations of office and secrecy in the prescribed form. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 53 (9).

First Nations Constables

First Nations Constables

54. (1) With the Commission’s approval, the Commissioner may appoint a First Nations Constable to perform specified duties.

Further approval

(2) If the specified duties of a First Nations Constable relate to a reserve as defined in the Indian Act (Canada), the appointment also requires the approval of the reserve’s police governing authority or band council.

Powers of police officer

(3) The appointment of a First Nations Constable confers on him or her the powers of a police officer for the purpose of carrying out his or her specified duties.

Duty to consult

(4) The Commissioner shall not suspend or terminate the appointment of a First Nations Constable whose specified duties relate to a reserve without first consulting with the police governing authority or band council that approved the appointment. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 54 (1-4).

Suspension or termination of appointment

(5) The power to appoint a First Nations Constable includes the power to suspend or terminate the appointment, but if the Commissioner suspends or terminates an appointment, written notice shall promptly be given to the Commission. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 54 (5); 1997, c. 8, s. 34 (1).

Commission

(6) The Commission also has power to suspend or terminate the appointment of a First Nations Constable. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 54 (6); 1997, c. 8, s. 34 (2).

Information and opportunity to reply

(7) Before a First Nations Constable’s appointment is terminated, he or she shall be given reasonable information with respect to the reasons for the termination and an opportunity to reply, orally or in writing as the Commissioner or Commission, as the case may be, may determine. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 54 (7); 1997, c. 8, s. 34 (3).

Oaths of office and secrecy

(8) A person appointed to be a First Nations Constable shall, before entering on the duties of his or her office, take oaths or affirmations of office and secrecy in the prescribed form. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 54 (8).

Emergencies

Emergencies

55. (1) In an emergency, the Solicitor General may make an agreement with the Crown in right of Canada or of another province or with any of its agencies for the provision of police services.

Authority to act as police officers

(2) The agreement authorizes all peace officers to whom it relates to act as police officers in the area to which the agreement relates. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 55 (1, 2).

Application

(3) For the purposes of the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997, the relationship between a member of a police force and the body that employs him or her continues as if an agreement had not been made under this section. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 55 (3); 1997, c. 16, s. 12.

Expense of calling out Canadian Forces

(4) If the services of the Canadian Forces are provided under this section, the municipality in whose territory the services are required shall pay all the related expenses.

Resignation during emergency prohibited

(5) Subject to sections 33 and 34 of the National Defence Act (Canada), while an agreement made under this section is in force, no member of a police force that has jurisdiction in the area to which the agreement relates shall resign without the consent of the chief of police. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 55 (4, 5).

PART V
COMPLAINTS

Making a complaint

56. (1) Any member of the public may make a complaint under this Part about the policies of or services provided by a police force or about the conduct of a police officer. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

(2) Repealed: 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 62.

Withdrawal of complaint

(3) A complainant may withdraw his or her complaint at any time, but if the chief of police or board has begun to hold a hearing in respect of a complaint, the complaint shall not be withdrawn without the consent of the chief of police or board, as the case may be. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Notice of withdrawal

(4) If a complaint is withdrawn, the chief of police or board shall notify the police officer who is the subject of the complaint, if any, of the fact within 30 days after the withdrawal. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Same

(5) The chief of police or board may continue to deal with a complaint after the complaint is withdrawn, if the chief of police or board, as the case may be, considers it appropriate to do so. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Notice

(6) If the chief of police or board continues to deal with a complaint after the complainant has asked that it be withdrawn, the chief of police or board shall notify the police officer who is the subject of the complaint, if any, within 30 days of deciding to continue. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Notice to police officer

(7) Where a complaint is about the conduct of a police officer, the chief of police shall forthwith give the police officer notice of the substance of the complaint unless, in the chief of police’s opinion, to do so might prejudice the investigation. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Interpretation − portion of a complaint

(8) This Part applies to a portion of a complaint as if it were a complaint. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Public complaints

57. (1) A complaint may be made by a member of the public only if the complainant was directly affected by the policy, service or conduct that is the subject of the complaint. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Same, where person affected is a minor

(1.1) If the person directly affected by the policy, service or conduct is a minor, the parent or guardian of the minor may bring a complaint on the minor’s behalf and, for that purpose, the parent or guardian shall be deemed to be directly affected by the policy, service or conduct. 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 63 (1).

Same, procedure for making

(2) A complaint made by a member of the public must be in writing, signed by the complainant and delivered to any station or detachment of the police force to which the complaint relates or to the Commission, personally by the complainant or his or her agent, by mail or by telephone transmission of a facsimile. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Form may be used

(3) If a complainant wants to make his or her complaint on a standard form, he or she may use a form approved for the purpose by the Commission; the approved form shall be available in every police station and detachment and in the Commission’s offices. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Same, withdrawal

(4) A withdrawal of a complaint by the member of the public who made the complaint must be in writing, signed by the complainant and delivered to any station or detachment of the police force to which the complaint relates or to the Commission, personally by the complainant or his or her agent, by mail or by telephone transmission of a facsimile. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Commission to send complaint to police force

(5) If a complaint is made or withdrawn by delivering it to the Commission, the Commission shall forthwith send the complaint or withdrawal, or a copy of it, to the chief of police of the police force to which the complaint relates. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

When complaint is made

(6) For the purposes of this Part, a complaint is made,

(a) on the day on which it is delivered in person to a station or detachment of the police force to which the complaint relates;

(b) on the day that is five days after it is mailed to the station or detachment;

(c) on the day after it is sent by telephone transmission of a facsimile to the station or detachment;

(d) on the day that is five days after it is delivered in person, or sent by mail or by telephone transmission of a facsimile to the Commission. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Definition, member of the public

(7) For the purposes of this Part, a member of the public does not include,

(a) the Solicitor General;

(b) a member or employee of the Commission;

(c) a member or auxiliary member of a police force if that police force or another member of that police force is the subject of the complaint;

(c.1) an employee of the Ontario Provincial Police if the Ontario Provincial Police or a member of the Ontario Provincial Police is the subject of the complaint;

(d) a member or employee of a board if the board is responsible for the police force that is, or a member of which is, the subject of the complaint;

(e) a person selected by the council of a municipality to advise another municipality’s board under subsection 6.1 (2), if the board is responsible for the police force that is, or a member of which is, the subject of the complaint; or

(f) a delegate to a community policing advisory committee if the community policing advisory committee advises the detachment commander of the Ontario Provincial Police detachment that is, or a member of which is, the subject of the complaint. 1997, c. 8, s. 35; 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 63 (2).

Informal complaint resolution

58. (1) If, at any time before or during an investigation into a complaint about the conduct of a police officer, the conduct appears to be obviously conduct that is not of a serious nature, the chief of police may resolve the matter informally, if the police officer and the complainant consent to the proposed resolution.

Same

(2) If, at any time before or during an investigation into a complaint about the conduct of a chief of police or deputy chief of police, the conduct appears to be obviously conduct that is not of a serious nature, the board may resolve the matter informally, if the chief of police or deputy chief of police and the complainant consent to the proposed resolution.

Inadmissibility of statements

(3) No statement made during an attempt at informal resolution of a complaint under this section is admissible in a civil proceeding, including a proceeding under subsection 64 (15) or 65 (17) or a hearing held under this Part, except with the consent of the person who made the statement.

Non-application of this Part

(4) No other provisions of this Part apply in respect of an informal resolution under subsection (1) or (2). 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Role of chief, vetting complaints

59. (1) The chief of police shall determine whether a complaint is about the policies of or services provided by the police force or the conduct of a police officer and shall ensure that every complaint is appropriately dealt with as provided by section 60.

Notice re nature of complaint

(2) The chief of police shall notify the complainant in writing of his or her determination that the complaint is about the policies of or services provided by the police force or is about the conduct of a police officer and of the complainant’s right to ask the Commission to review the determination within 30 days of receiving the notice.

Frivolous, vexatious, bad faith complaints

(3) The chief of police may decide not to deal with any complaint about the police force or about a police officer, other than the chief of police or deputy chief of police, that he or she considers to be frivolous or vexatious or made in bad faith.

Complaint more than six months old

(4) The chief of police may decide not to deal with any complaint made by a member of the public if the complaint is made more than six months after the facts on which it is based occurred.

Complainant not directly affected

(5) The chief of police shall not deal with any complaint made by a member of the public if he or she decides that the complainant was not directly affected by the policy, service or conduct that is the subject of the complaint.

Notice

(6) If the chief of police decides not to deal with a complaint under subsection (3), (4) or (5), he or she shall notify the complainant and the police officer who is the subject of the complaint, if any, in writing, of the decision and of the complainant’s right to ask the Commission to review the decision within 30 days of receiving the notice.

Time limit

(7) The chief of police shall notify the complainant under subsection (2) or (6) within 30 days after the complaint was made unless the chief of police notifies the complainant in writing before the expiry of the 30-day period that he or she is extending the 30-day period.

Same

(8) Subject to subsections (3), (4) and (5), the chief of police shall ensure that a review under section 61 is begun into every complaint made about the policies of or services provided by the police force, and that an investigation under section 64 is begun into every complaint made about the conduct of a police officer, immediately upon the later of,

(a) 30 days after the complainant was notified under subsection (2); and

(b) notification of the Commission’s decision after a review under section 72 with respect to a notice under subsection (2).

Same

(9) Despite subsection (8), if the complainant notifies the chief of police in writing that he or she will not ask the Commission to conduct a review under section 72, the chief of police shall ensure that the review or investigation, as the case may be, is begun immediately after receiving such notification from the complainant. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Referral of complaints to appropriate authorities

Complaints about municipal force referred to chief

60. (1) All complaints about the policies of or services provided by a municipal police force shall be referred to the chief of police and dealt with under section 61.

Complaints about local O.P.P. policies referred to detachment commander

(2) All complaints about the local policies, established under clause 10 (9) (c), of an Ontario Provincial Police detachment shall be referred to the detachment commander and dealt with under section 62.

Complaints about provincial O.P.P. policies referred to Commissioner

(3) All complaints about the provincial policies of the Ontario Provincial Police shall be referred to the Commissioner and dealt with under section 63.

Complaints about officer referred to chief

(4) All complaints about the conduct of a police officer, other than a chief of police or deputy chief of police, shall be referred to the chief of police and dealt with under section 64.

Complaints about chief, deputy chief referred to board

(5) All complaints about the conduct of a municipal chief of police or a municipal deputy chief of police shall be referred to the board and dealt with under section 65.

Complaints about Commissioner, deputy Commissioner referred to Solicitor General

(6) All complaints about the conduct of the Commissioner or a deputy Commissioner shall be referred to the Solicitor General and dealt with under section 66. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Complaints about municipal force, review by chief and board

61. (1) Subject to subsections 59 (3), (4) and (5), the chief of police shall review every complaint that is made about the policies of or services provided by a municipal police force and shall take any action, or no action, in response to the complaint as he or she considers appropriate.

Report to board on disposition

(2) The chief of police shall submit a written report to the board, as may be requested by the board, respecting every complaint about the policies of or services provided by the police force, including a complaint disposed of under subsection 59 (3), (4) or (5), and his or her disposition of the complaint.

Notice to complainant

(3) The chief of police shall notify the complainant, in writing, of his or her disposition of the complaint and of the complainant’s right to request that the board review the complaint if the complainant is not satisfied with the disposition, and the chief of police shall do so within 60 days after the later of,

(a) the expiry of the 30-day period in which the complainant may ask the Commission to review a decision, as set out in a notice under subsection 59 (2) or (6); and

(b) notification of the Commission’s decision after conducting the requested review.

If no action taken

(4) If the chief of police decides to take no action with respect to the complaint, he or she shall provide the complainant with reasons for the decision.

Extension of time

(5) The chief of police may extend the 60-day period set out in subsection (3) by notifying the complainant in writing of the extension before the expiry of the period being extended.

Deemed disposition

(6) If the chief of police has not notified the complainant of his or her disposition of the complaint within the 60-day period required by subsection (3) or within the extended period established under subsection (5), the chief of police shall be deemed to have taken no action in response to the complaint and shall be deemed to have so notified the complainant.

Request for review by board

(7) A complainant may, within 30 days after receiving the notice under subsection (3) or the deemed notice under subsection (6), request that the board review the complaint by serving a written request to that effect on the board.

Board to review and dispose of complaint

(8) Upon receiving a written request for a review of a complaint previously dealt with by the chief of police, the board shall,

(a) advise the chief of police of the request;

(b) subject to subsection (9), review the complaint and take any action, or no action, in response to the complaint, as it considers appropriate; and

(c) notify the complainant and the chief of police in writing of its disposition of the complaint.

Committee of board may review and report to board

(9) A board that is composed of more than three members may appoint a committee of not fewer than three members of the board (two of whom constitute a quorum for the purpose of this subsection) to review a complaint and to make recommendations to the board after the review and the board shall consider the recommendations and shall take any action, or no action, in response to the complaint as the board considers appropriate.

Public meeting

(10) In conducting a review under this section, the board or the committee of the board may hold a public meeting into the complaint. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Complaints re local O.P.P. policies, review by detachment commander and board

62. (1) The detachment commander shall review every complaint that is made about the local policies, established under clause 10 (9) (c), of the Ontario Provincial Police detachment that is providing police services pursuant to an agreement entered into under section 10 and shall take any action, or no action, in response to the complaint as he or she considers appropriate.

Frivolous, vexatious, bad faith complaints

(2) The detachment commander may decide not to deal with any complaint described in subsection (1) that he or she considers to be frivolous or vexatious or made in bad faith.

Complaint more than six months old

(3) The detachment commander may decide not to deal with any complaint described in subsection (1) if the complaint is made more than six months after the facts on which it is based occurred.

Complainant not directly affected

(4) The detachment commander shall not deal with any complaint described in subsection (1) if he or she decides that the complainant was not directly affected by the policy that is the subject of the complaint.

Notice to complainant re decision not to deal with complaint

(5) If the detachment commander decides not to deal with a complaint under subsection (2), (3) or (4), he or she shall notify the complainant, in writing, of the decision and of the complainant’s right to ask the Commission to review the decision within 30 days of receiving the notice.

Report to board on disposition

(6) The detachment commander shall submit a written report to the board, as may be requested by the board, respecting every complaint about the local policies of the detachment, including a complaint disposed of under subsection (2), (3) or (4), and his or her disposition of the complaint.

Notice to complainant

(7) The detachment commander shall notify the complainant, in writing, of his or her disposition of the complaint and of the complainant’s right to request that the board review the complaint if the complainant is not satisfied with the disposition, and the detachment commander shall do so within 60 days after the later of,

(a) the expiry of the 30-day period in which the complainant may ask the Commission to review a decision, as set out in a notice under subsection 59 (2) or subsection (5) of this section; and

(b) notification of the Commission’s decision after conducting the requested review.

If no action taken

(8) If the detachment commander decides to take no action with respect to the complaint, he or she shall provide the complainant with reasons for the decision.

Extension of time

(9) The detachment commander may extend the 60-day period set out in subsection (7) by notifying the complainant in writing of the extension before the expiry of the period being extended.

Deemed disposition

(10) If the detachment commander has not notified the complainant of his or her disposition of the complaint within the 60-day period required by subsection (7) or within the extended period established under subsection (9), the detachment commander shall be deemed to have taken no action in response to the complaint and shall be deemed to have so notified the complainant.

Request for review by board

(11) A complainant may, within 30 days after receiving the notice under subsection (7) or the deemed notice under subsection (10), request that the board review the complaint by serving a written request to that effect on the board.

Board to review and dispose of complaint

(12) Upon receiving a written request for a review of a complaint previously dealt with by a detachment commander, the board shall,

(a) advise the detachment commander of the request;

(b) subject to subsection (13), review the complaint and take any action, or no action, in response to the complaint, as it considers appropriate; and

(c) notify the complainant and the detachment commander in writing of its disposition of the complaint.

Committee of board may review and report to board

(13) A board that is composed of more than three members may appoint a committee of not fewer than three members of the board (two of whom constitute a quorum for the purpose of this subsection) to review a complaint and to make recommendations to the board after the review and the board shall consider the recommendations and shall take any action, or no action, in response to the complaint as the board considers appropriate.

Public meeting

(14) In conducting a review under this section, the board or the committee of the board may hold a public meeting into the complaint.

Delegation

(15) A detachment commander may delegate any of his or her duties, functions or powers under this section to any police officer who is a member of the detachment. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Complaints re provincial O.P.P. policies, Commissioner to review

63. (1) Subject to subsections 59 (3), (4) and (5), the Commissioner shall review every complaint that is made about the provincial policies of the Ontario Provincial Police or about the services provided by the Ontario Provincial Police, other than services provided pursuant to an agreement under section 10, and shall take any action, or no action, in response to the complaint as he or she considers appropriate.

Notice to complainant

(2) The Commissioner shall notify the complainant in writing of his or her disposition of the complaint.

If no action taken

(3) If the Commissioner decides to take no action with respect to the complaint, he or she shall provide the complainant with reasons for the decision. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Complaints about police officer’s conduct

64. (1) Subject to subsections 59 (3), (4) and (5), the chief of police shall cause every complaint made about the conduct of a police officer, other than the chief of police or deputy chief of police, to be investigated and the investigation to be reported on in a written report. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Complaints by chief

(1.1) The chief of police may, of his or her own motion, make a complaint about the conduct of a police officer on his or her police force, other than the deputy chief of police, and shall cause such complaint to be investigated and the investigation to be reported on in a written report. 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 64.

Same

(1.2) Except for those provisions or parts of provisions respecting complainants, this Part applies to a complaint made under subsection (1.1). 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 64.

Investigation assigned to another police force

(2) A municipal chief of police may, with the approval of the board and on written notice to the Commission, ask the chief of police of another police force to cause the complaint to be investigated and to report, in writing, back to him or her at the expense of the police force in respect of which the complaint is made. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Same, re O.P.P. officer

(3) In the case of a complaint about the conduct of a police officer who is a member of the Ontario Provincial Police, the Commissioner may, on written notice to the Commission, ask the chief of police of another police force to cause the complaint to be investigated and to report, in writing, back to him or her at the expense of the Ontario Provincial Police. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Same, more than one force involved

(4) If the complaint is about an incident that involved the conduct of two or more police officers who are members of different police forces, the chiefs of police whose police officers are the subjects of the complaint shall agree on which police force (which may be one of the police forces whose police officer is a subject of the complaint or another police force) is to investigate the complaint and report, in writing, back to the other chief or chiefs of police and how the cost of the investigation is to be shared. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Same

(5) If the chiefs of police cannot agree under subsection (4), the Commission shall decide how the cost of the investigation is to be shared and,

(a) shall decide which of the chiefs of police whose police officer is a subject of the complaint shall cause the complaint to be investigated and report in writing back to the other chief or chiefs of police; or

(b) shall ask another chief of police to cause the complaint to be investigated and to report back in writing to the chiefs of police. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Unsubstantiated complaint

(6) If, at the conclusion of the investigation and on review of the written report submitted to him or her, the chief of police is of the opinion that the complaint is unsubstantiated, the chief of police shall take no action in response to the complaint and shall notify the complainant and the police officer who is the subject of the complaint, in writing, together with a copy of the written report, of the decision and of the complainant’s right to ask the Commission to review the decision within 30 days of receiving the notice. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Hearing to be held

(7) Subject to subsection (11), if, at the conclusion of the investigation and on review of the written report submitted to him or her, the chief of police is of the opinion that the police officer’s conduct may constitute misconduct, as defined in section 74, or unsatisfactory work performance, he or she shall hold a hearing into the matter. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Prosecutor at hearing

(8) The chief of police shall designate to be the prosecutor at the hearing,

(a) a police officer from any police force of a rank equal to or higher than that of the police officer who is the subject of the hearing; or

(b) a legal counsel or agent. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Same

(9) A police officer from another police force may be the prosecutor at the hearing only with the approval of his or her chief of police. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Findings and disposition after hearing

(10) At the conclusion of the hearing, if misconduct or unsatisfactory work performance is proved on clear and convincing evidence, the chief of police shall take any action described in section 68. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Informal resolution if conduct not serious

(11) If, at the conclusion of the investigation and on review of the written report submitted to him or her, the chief of police is of the opinion that there was misconduct or unsatisfactory work performance but that it was not of a serious nature, the chief of police may resolve the matter informally without holding a hearing, if the police officer and the complainant consent to the proposed resolution. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Notice to complainant

(12) Before resolving the matter informally, the chief of police shall notify the complainant and the police officer, in writing, of his or her opinion that there was misconduct or unsatisfactory work performance that was not of a serious nature, and that the complainant may ask the Commission to review this decision within 30 days of receiving such notification. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

No informal resolution until after Commission’s review

(13) The chief of police shall take no action to resolve the matter informally until,

(a) the 30-day period in which the complainant may ask for a review has expired, without a review being requested; or

(b) if the complainant asked for a review within the 30-day period, the Commission has completed its review and then, only if the Commission’s decision is such that there may be an informal resolution of the complaint. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Same

(14) Despite subsection (13), if the complainant notifies the chief of police in writing that he or she will not ask the Commission to conduct a review under section 72, the chief of police shall take action to resolve the matter informally immediately after receiving such notification from the complainant. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Disposition without a hearing if informal resolution fails

(15) If an informal resolution of the matter is attempted but not achieved under subsection (11), the following rules apply:

1. The chief of police shall provide the police officer with reasonable information concerning the matter and shall give him or her an opportunity to reply, orally or in writing.

2. Subject to paragraph 3, the chief of police may impose on the police officer the penalty described in clause 68 (1) (e) and may take any other action described in subsection 68 (5) and may cause an entry concerning the matter, the penalty imposed or action taken and the police officer’s reply to be made in his or her employment record.

3. If the police officer refuses to accept the penalty imposed or action taken, the chief of police shall not impose a penalty or take any other action or cause any entry to be made in the police officer’s employment record, but shall hold a hearing under subsection (7). 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Employment record expunged

(16) An entry made in the police officer’s employment record under paragraph 2 of subsection (15) shall be expunged from the record two years after being made if during that time no other entries concerning misconduct or unsatisfactory work performance have been made in the record under this Part. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Agreement

(17) Nothing in this section affects agreements between boards and police officers or associations that permit penalties or actions other than those permitted by this section, if the police officer in question consents, without a hearing under subsection (7). 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Complaints about chief’s, deputy chief’s conduct

65. (1) The board shall review every complaint made about the conduct of the municipal chief of police or a municipal deputy chief of police and shall ensure that it begins the review immediately upon the later of,

(a) 30 days after the complainant was notified under subsection 59 (2); and

(b) notification of the Commission’s decision after reviewing a decision with respect to a notice under subsection 59 (2). 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Complaints by board

(1.1) The board may, of its own motion, make a complaint about the conduct of the chief of police or deputy chief of police and shall review such complaint. 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 65.

Same

(1.2) Except for those provisions or parts of provisions respecting complainants, this Part applies to a complaint made under subsection (1.1). 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 65.

Same

(2) Despite subsection (1), if the complainant notifies the board in writing that he or she will not ask the Commission to conduct a review under section 72 with respect to a notice under subsection 59 (2), the board shall ensure that it begins the review immediately after receiving such notification from the complainant. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Frivolous, vexatious, bad faith complaints

(3) The board may decide not to deal with any complaint that it considers to be frivolous or vexatious or made in bad faith and shall notify the complainant and the police officer who is the subject of the complaint in writing of the decision and of the complainant’s right to ask the Commission to review the decision within 30 days of receiving the notice. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Complaint more than six months old

(4) The board may decide not to deal with any complaint that was made more than six months after the facts on which it is based occurred and shall notify the complainant and the police officer who is the subject of the complaint in writing of the decision and of the complainant’s right to ask the Commission to review the decision within 30 days of receiving the notice. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Complainant not directly affected

(5) The board shall not deal with any complaint made by a member of the public if the board decides that the complainant was not directly affected by the conduct that is the subject of the complaint and shall notify the complainant and the police officer who is the subject of the complaint in writing of the decision and of the complainant’s right to ask the Commission to review the decision within 30 days of receiving the notice. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Investigation assigned to another police force

(6) If, at the conclusion of the review, the board is of the opinion that the chief of police’s or deputy chief of police’s conduct may constitute an offence under a law of Canada or of a province or territory, or misconduct, as defined in section 74, or unsatisfactory work performance, the board shall ask the Commission to assign the chief of police of another police force to cause the complaint to be investigated immediately and the investigation to be reported on in a written report. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Matter referred to board

(7) If, at the conclusion of the investigation carried out by another police force, the chief of police of the other police force is of the opinion that the conduct of the chief of police or deputy chief of police under investigation may constitute misconduct, as defined in section 74, or unsatisfactory work performance, he or she shall refer the matter, together with the written report, to the board. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Unsubstantiated complaint

(8) If, at the conclusion of the investigation carried out by another police force, the chief of police of the other police force is of the opinion that the complaint is unsubstantiated, the chief of police shall report that in writing to the board and the board shall take no action in response to the complaint and shall notify the complainant and the police officer who is the subject of the complaint, in writing, together with a copy of the written report, of the decision, and of the complainant’s right to ask the Commission to review the decision within 30 days of receiving the notice. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Board or Commission to hold hearing

(9) Subject to subsection (13), the board shall hold a hearing into a matter referred to it under subsection (7) or may refer the matter to the Commission to hold the hearing. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Prosecutor at hearing

(10) The board or Commission, as the case may be, shall designate a legal counsel or agent to be the prosecutor at the hearing. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Board pays for prosecutor

(11) The board shall pay the prosecutor’s remuneration, whether the prosecutor has been designated by the board or by the Commission. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Findings and disposition after hearing

(12) At the conclusion of a hearing by the board, if misconduct or unsatisfactory work performance is proved on clear and convincing evidence, the board shall take any action described in section 68; at the conclusion of a hearing by the Commission, if misconduct or unsatisfactory work performance is proved on clear and convincing evidence, the Commission shall direct the board to take any action, as specified by the Commission, under section 68 and the board shall take such action. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Informal resolution if conduct not serious

(13) If the board is of the opinion, on a review of the written report, that there was misconduct or unsatisfactory work performance but that it was not of a serious nature, the board may resolve the matter informally without holding a hearing if the chief of police or deputy chief of police and the complainant consent to the proposed resolution. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Notice to complainant

(14) Before resolving the matter informally, the board shall notify the complainant, in writing, of its opinion that there was misconduct or unsatisfactory work performance that was not of a serious nature, and that the complainant may ask the Commission to review this decision within 30 days of receiving such notification. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

No informal resolution until after Commission’s review

(15) The board shall take no action to resolve the matter informally until,

(a) the 30-day period in which the complainant may ask for a review has expired, without a review being requested; or

(b) if the complainant asked for a review within the 30-day period, the Commission has completed its review and then, only if the Commission’s decision is such that there may be informal resolution of the complaint. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Same

(16) Despite subsection (15), if the complainant notifies the board in writing that he or she will not ask the Commission to conduct a review under section 72, the board shall take action to resolve the matter informally immediately after receiving such notification from the complainant. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Disposition without a hearing if informal resolution fails

(17) If an informal resolution of the matter is attempted but not achieved under subsection (13), the following rules apply:

1. The board shall provide the chief of police or deputy chief of police with reasonable information concerning the matter and shall give him or her an opportunity to reply, orally or in writing.

2. Subject to paragraph 3, the board may impose on the chief of police or deputy chief of police the penalty described in clause 68 (2) (e) and may take any other action described in subsection 68 (5) and may cause an entry concerning the matter, the penalty imposed or action taken and the chief of police’s or deputy chief of police’s reply to be made in his or her employment record.

3. If the chief of police or deputy chief of police refuses to accept the penalty imposed or action taken, the board shall not impose a penalty or take any other action or cause any entry to be made in the employment record, but shall hold a hearing, or refer the matter to the Commission to hold a hearing, under subsection (9). 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Employment record expunged

(18) An entry made in the chief of police’s or deputy chief of police’s employment record under paragraph 2 of subsection (17) shall be expunged from the record two years after being made if during that time no other entries concerning misconduct or unsatisfactory work performance have been made in the record under this Part. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Agreement

(19) Nothing in this section affects agreements between boards and chiefs of police or deputy chiefs of police that permit penalties or actions other than those permitted by this section, if the chief of police or deputy chief of police in question consents, without a hearing under subsection (9). 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Complaints about Commissioner’s, deputy Commissioner’s conduct

66. The Solicitor General shall deal with all complaints about the conduct of the Commissioner or a deputy Commissioner as he or she sees fit and there is no appeal from a decision or action taken by the Solicitor General under this section. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Suspension

67. (1) If a police officer, other than a chief of police or deputy chief of police, is suspected of or charged with an offence under a law of Canada or of a province or territory or is suspected of misconduct as defined in section 74, the chief of police may suspend him or her from duty with pay.

Same

(2) If a chief of police or deputy chief of police is suspected of or charged with an offence under a law of Canada or of a province or territory or is suspected of misconduct as defined in section 74, the board may suspend him or her from duty with pay.

Revocation and reimposition of suspension

(3) The chief of police or board may revoke the suspension and later reimpose it, repeatedly if necessary, as the chief of police or board, as the case may be, considers appropriate.

Duration of suspension

(4) Unless the chief of police or board revokes the suspension, it shall continue until the final disposition of the proceeding in which the chief of police’s, deputy chief of police’s or other police officer’s conduct is at issue.

Conditions of suspension

(5) While suspended, the chief of police, deputy chief of police or other police officer shall not exercise any of the powers vested in him or her as a chief of police, deputy chief of police or police officer, or wear or use clothing or equipment that was issued to him or her in that capacity.

Suspension without pay

(6) If a chief of police, deputy chief of police or other police officer is convicted of an offence and sentenced to a term of imprisonment, the chief of police or board, as the case may be, may suspend him or her without pay, even if the conviction or sentence is under appeal.

Earnings from other employment

(7) If a chief of police, deputy chief of police or other police officer is suspended with pay, the pay for the period of suspension shall be reduced by the amount that he or she earns from other employment during that period.

Exception

(8) Subsection (7) does not apply to earnings from other employment that was commenced before the period of suspension. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Powers of chief and board

Powers of chief of police, subs. 64 (10)

68. (1) The chief of police may, under subsection 64 (10),

(a) dismiss the police officer from the police force;

(b) direct that the police officer be dismissed in seven days unless he or she resigns before that time;

(c) demote the police officer, specifying the manner and period of the demotion;

(d) suspend the police officer without pay for a period not exceeding 30 days or 240 hours, as the case may be;

(e) direct that the police officer forfeit not more than three days or 24 hours pay, as the case may be; or

(f) direct that the police officer forfeit not more than 20 days or 160 hours off, as the case may be.

Powers of board, subs. 65 (12)

(2) The board may, under subsection 65 (12),

(a) dismiss the chief of police or deputy chief of police from the police force;

(b) direct that the chief of police or deputy chief of police be dismissed in seven days unless he or she resigns before that time;

(c) demote the chief of police or deputy chief of police, specifying the manner and period of the demotion;

(d) suspend the chief of police or deputy chief of police without pay for a period not exceeding 30 days or 240 hours, as the case may be;

(e) direct that the chief of police or deputy chief of police forfeit not more than three days or 24 hours pay, as the case may be; or

(f) direct that the chief of police or deputy chief of police forfeit not more than 20 days or 160 hours off, as the case may be.

Calculation of penalties

(3) Penalties imposed under clauses (1) (d), (e) and (f) and (2) (d), (e) and (f) shall be calculated in terms of days if the chief of police, deputy chief of police or other police officer normally works eight hours a day or less and in terms of hours if he or she normally works more than eight hours a day.

Same

(4) If a penalty is imposed under clause (1) (e) or (2) (e), the chief of police, deputy chief of police or police officer, as the case may be, may elect to satisfy the penalty by working without pay or by applying the penalty to his or her vacation, overtime or sick leave credits or entitlements.

Additional powers

(5) In addition to or instead of a penalty described in subsection (1) or (2), the board or chief of police, as the case may be, may,

(a) reprimand the chief of police, deputy chief of police or other police officer;

(b) direct that the chief of police, deputy chief of police or other police officer undergo specified counselling, treatment or training;

(c) direct that the chief of police, deputy chief of police or other police officer participate in a specified program or activity;

(d) take any combination of actions described in clauses (a), (b) and (c).

Notice needed for dismissal or demotion

(6) The chief of police or board, as the case may be, shall not impose the penalties of dismissal or demotion unless the notice of hearing or a subsequent notice served on the chief of police, deputy chief of police or other police officer indicated that they might be imposed if the complaint were proved on clear and convincing evidence.

Notice of any action taken

(7) The chief of police or board, as the case may be, shall promptly give written notice of the action taken under subsection (1), (2) or (5) with reasons, to the chief of police, deputy chief of police or other police officer who is the subject of the complaint and, in the case of an action taken by a municipal chief of police, to the board.

Same

(8) If the action was taken as a result of a complaint made by a member of the public, the chief of police or board, as the case may be, shall also give written notice of the action taken, with reasons, to the complainant.

Police officer’s employment record

(9) The chief of police or board, as the case may be, may cause an entry concerning the matter, the action taken and the reply of the chief of police, deputy chief of police or other police officer against whom the action is taken, to be made in his or her employment record, but no reference to the allegations of the complaint or the hearing shall be made in the employment record, and the matter shall not be taken into account for any purpose relating to his or her employment unless,

(a) the complaint is proved on clear and convincing evidence; or

(b) the chief of police, deputy chief of police or other police officer resigns before the matter is finally disposed of. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Hearings, procedure

Statutory Powers Procedure Act applies to hearings by chief or board

69. (1) A hearing held under subsection 64 (7) or 65 (9) shall be conducted in accordance with the Statutory Powers Procedure Act. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Application of this section to hearings under this Part

(2) Subsections (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (12), (13), (14), (15), (16) and (17) apply to any hearing held under this Part. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Parties

(3) The parties to the hearing are the prosecutor, the police officer who is the subject of the hearing and, if the complaint was made by a member of the public, the complainant. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Notice to parties and right to counsel

(4) The parties to the hearing shall be given reasonable notice of the hearing and each party may be represented by counsel or an agent. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Examination of evidence

(5) Before the hearing, the police officer shall be given an opportunity to examine any physical or documentary evidence that will be produced or any report whose contents will be given in evidence. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Same

(6) If the hearing is being conducted as a result of a public complaint, the complainant shall likewise be given an opportunity to examine evidence and reports before the hearing. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Police officer not required to give evidence

(7) The police officer who is the subject of the hearing shall not be required to give evidence at the hearing. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Non-compellability

(8) No person shall be required to testify in a civil proceeding with regard to information obtained in the course of his or her duties, except at a hearing held under this Part. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Inadmissibility of documents

(9) No document prepared as the result of a complaint is admissible in a civil proceeding, except at a hearing held under this Part. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Inadmissibility of statements

(10) No statement made during an attempt at informal resolution of a complaint is admissible in a civil proceeding, including a proceeding under subsection 64 (15) or 65 (17) or a hearing held under this Part, except with the consent of the person who made the statement. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Recording of evidence

(11) The oral evidence given at the hearing shall be recorded and copies of transcripts shall be provided on the same terms as in the Superior Court of Justice. 1997, c. 8, s. 35; 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 66.

Release of exhibits

(12) Within a reasonable time after the matter has been finally determined, documents and things put in evidence at the hearing shall, on request, be released to the person who produced them. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

No communication without notice to parties

(13) The person conducting the hearing shall not communicate directly or indirectly in relation to the subject-matter of the hearing with any person or person’s counsel or agent, unless the parties receive notice and have an opportunity to participate. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Exception

(14) However, the person conducting the hearing may seek legal advice from an advisor independent of the parties, and in that case the nature of the advice shall be communicated to them so that they may make submissions as to the law. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Hearing may proceed on part if Crown Attorney consulted

(15) If a Crown Attorney has been consulted, the person conducting the hearing may proceed to deal with the part of the complaint that, in his or her opinion, constitutes misconduct, as defined in section 74, or unsatisfactory work performance, unless the Crown Attorney directs otherwise. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Hearing to continue

(16) If the police officer who is the subject of the hearing is charged with an offence under a law of Canada or of a province or territory in connection with the conduct that was the subject of the complaint, the hearing shall continue unless the Crown Attorney advises the chief of police or board, as the case may be, that it should be stayed until the conclusion of the proceedings dealing with the offence. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Photography at hearing

(17) Subsections 136 (1), (2) and (3) of the Courts of Justice Act (photography at court hearing) apply with necessary modifications to the hearing and a person who contravenes subsection 136 (1), (2) or (3) of the Courts of Justice Act, as it is made to apply by this subsection, is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not more than $2,000. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Six-month limitation period, exception

(18) If six months have elapsed since the facts on which a complaint is based first came to the attention of the chief of police or board, as the case may be, no notice of hearing shall be served unless the board (in the case of a municipal police officer) or the Commissioner (in the case of a member of the Ontario Provincial Police) is of the opinion that it was reasonable, under the circumstances, to delay serving the notice of hearing. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Appeal to Commission

70. (1) A police officer or complainant may, within 30 days of receiving notice of the decision made after a hearing held by the chief of police under subsection 64 (7) or by the board under subsection 65 (9), appeal the decision to the Commission by serving on the Commission a written notice stating the grounds on which the appeal is based. 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 67.

Commission to hold hearing on notice from police officer

(2) The Commission shall hold a hearing upon receiving a notice under subsection (1) from a police officer. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Commission to hold hearing on notice from complainant, limitation

(3) The Commission shall hold a hearing upon receiving a notice under subsection (1) from a complainant if the appeal is from the finding that misconduct or unsatisfactory work performance was not proved on clear and convincing evidence. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Commission may hold hearing

(4) The Commission may hold a hearing, if it considers it appropriate, upon receiving a notice under subsection (1) from a complainant with respect to an appeal other than an appeal described in subsection (3). 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Appeal on the record

(5) A hearing held under this section shall be an appeal on the record, but the Commission may receive new or additional evidence as it considers just. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Powers of Commission

(6) The Commission may confirm, vary or revoke the decision being appealed or may substitute its own decision for that of the chief of police or board, as the case may be. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Appeal to Divisional Court

71. (1) A party to a hearing held by the Commission under subsection 65 (9) or section 70 may appeal the Commission’s decision to the Divisional Court within 30 days of receiving notice of the Commission’s decision. 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 68.

Grounds for appeal

(2) An appeal may be made on a question that is not a question of fact alone, from a penalty imposed or from any other action taken, or all of them. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Solicitor General may be heard

(3) The Solicitor General is entitled to be heard, by counsel or otherwise, on the argument of the appeal. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Review by Commission

72. (1) If a complainant disagrees with the decision of a chief of police to deal with his or her complaint as a complaint about the policies of or services provided by the police force or as a complaint about the conduct of a police officer, the complainant may, within 30 days of receiving notice under subsection 59 (2), ask the Commission to review the decision.

Same

(2) If a complainant has been notified under subsection 59 (6), 62 (5) or 65 (3) that his or her complaint will not be dealt with because it is frivolous or vexatious or made in bad faith, the complainant may, within 30 days of such notification, ask the Commission to review the decision.

Same

(3) If a complainant has been notified under subsection 59 (6), 62 (5) or 65 (4) that his or her complaint will not be dealt with because it was made more than six months after the facts on which it is based occurred, the complainant may, within 30 days of such notification, ask the Commission to review the decision.

Same

(4) If a complainant has been notified under subsection 59 (6), 62 (5) or 65 (5) that his or her complaint will not be dealt with because he or she was not directly affected by the policy, service or conduct that is the subject of the complaint, the complainant may, within 30 days of such notification, ask the Commission to review the decision.

Same

(5) If a complainant has been notified under subsection 64 (6) or (12) or 65 (8) or (14) that his or her complaint is unsubstantiated or that the conduct he or she complained of has been determined to be not of a serious nature, the complainant may, within 30 days of such notification, ask the Commission to review the decision.

Request in writing

(6) The request for a review must be in writing.

Commission to review

(7) Upon receiving a request for a review under this section, the Commission shall review the decision, taking into account any material provided by the complainant or the chief of police, detachment commander or board, and shall endeavour to complete its review within 30 days of receiving the request, but the Commission shall not hold a hearing into the matter.

Commission’s powers

(8) Upon completion of the review, the Commission may confirm the decision or may direct the chief of police, detachment commander or board to process the complaint as it specifies or may assign the review or investigation of the complaint or the conduct of a hearing in respect of the complaint to a police force other than the police force in respect of which the complaint is made.

Cost of complaints process

(9) If the Commission assigns the review or investigation of a complaint or the conduct of a hearing in respect of a complaint to a police force under subsection (8), the police force in respect of which the complaint is made shall pay the costs of the review, investigation or hearing incurred by the police force to which the matter is assigned.

Notice

(10) The Commission shall notify the complainant and the chief of police, detachment commander or board, as the case may be, and the police officer who is the subject of the complaint of its decision and the action taken by it under subsection (8).

Complaint to be processed as specified

(11) If notified by the Commission that the complaint is to be processed as specified, the chief of police, detachment commander or board shall immediately so process the complaint.

Final decision

(12) The Commission’s decision under subsection (8) is final and binding and there is no appeal therefrom. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Commission may direct complaint process

73. (1) The Commission may, on its own motion and at any stage in the complaints process, direct a chief of police or board to process a complaint as it specifies or assign the review or investigation of a complaint or the conduct of a hearing in respect of a complaint to a police force other than the police force in respect of which the complaint is made.

Cost of complaints process

(2) If the Commission assigns the review or investigation of a complaint or the conduct of a hearing in respect of a complaint to a police force under subsection (1), the police force in respect of which the complaint is made shall pay the costs of the review, investigation or hearing incurred by the police force to which the matter is assigned. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Misconduct

74. (1) A police officer is guilty of misconduct if he or she,

(a) commits an offence described in a prescribed code of conduct;

(b) contravenes section 46 (political activity);

(c) engages in an activity that contravenes subsection 49 (1) (secondary activities) without the permission of his or her chief of police or, in the case of a chief of police, without the permission of the board, being aware that the activity may contravene that subsection;

(d) contravenes subsection 55 (5) (resignation during emergency);

(e) contravenes section 75 (inducing misconduct, withholding services);

(f) contravenes section 117 (trade union membership);

(g) deals with personal property, other than money or a firearm, in a manner that is not consistent with section 132;

(h) deals with money in a manner that is not consistent with section 133;

(i) deals with a firearm in a manner that is not consistent with section 134;

(j) contravenes a regulation made under paragraph 15 (equipment), 16 (use of force), 17 (standards of dress, police uniforms), 20 (police pursuits) or 21 (records) of subsection 135 (1).

Off-duty conduct

(2) A police officer shall not be found guilty of misconduct if there is no connection between the conduct and either the occupational requirements for a police officer or the reputation of the police force. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Inducing misconduct and withholding services

Inducing misconduct

75. (1) No person, including a member of a police force, shall,

(a) induce or attempt to induce a member of a police force to withhold his or her services; or

(b) induce or attempt to induce a police officer to commit misconduct.

Withholding services

(2) No member of a police force shall withhold his or her services.

Offence

(3) A person who contravenes subsection (1) or (2) is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not more than $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than one year, or to both.

Consent of Solicitor General

(4) No prosecution shall be instituted under this section without the consent of the Solicitor General. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Delegation of chief’s powers and duties

76. (1) A chief of police may authorize a police officer or a former police officer of the rank of inspector or higher or a judge or former judge who has retired from office to conduct a hearing under subsection 64 (7) or to act under subsection 64 (11) or (15). 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 69.

Same

(2) A chief of police may authorize any member of any police force to exercise a power or perform a duty of the chief of police under this Part, other than those described in subsection (1). 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Officer from another force

(3) If a chief of police authorizes a police officer from another police force, of the rank of inspector or higher, to conduct a hearing under subsection 64 (7), that police officer may do so only with the approval of his or her chief of police. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Notice

77. (1) Where a notice is required to be given to or served on a person, board or the Commission under this Part, it may be served personally, by regular letter mail, by electronic transmission, by telephone transmission of a facsimile, or by some other method that allows proof of receipt.

Deemed receipt

(2) Service by regular letter mail shall be deemed to be received by the person, board or Commission on the fifth day after it is mailed unless the person, board or Commission establishes that the person, board or Commission did not, acting in good faith, through absence, accident, illness or other cause beyond the person’s, board’s or Commission’s control, receive the notice on that day.

Same

(3) Service by electronic transmission or by telephone transmission of a facsimile shall be deemed to be received by the person, board or Commission on the day after it is sent or, if that day is a Saturday or holiday, on the next day that is not a Saturday or holiday, unless the person, board or Commission establishes that the person, board or Commission did not, acting in good faith, through absence, accident, illness or other cause beyond the person’s, board’s or Commission’s control, receive the notice on that day. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Ombudsman Act not to apply

78. The Ombudsman Act does not apply to anything done under this Part. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Transition, discipline and complaints

Disciplinary proceedings

79. (1) Disciplinary proceedings commenced before the coming into force of this section under Part V of the Act, as it then read, may continue to be dealt with in accordance with Part V, as it read immediately before the coming into force of this section, until January 1, 1998.

Complaints

(2) Public complaints made before the coming into force of this section under Part VI of the Act, as it then read, may continue to be dealt with in accordance with Part VI, as it read immediately before its repeal, until January 1, 1998.

Parties may elect to proceed under new Part V

(3) If the parties to a disciplinary proceeding or public complaint described in subsection (1) or (2) agree, they may, before January 1, 1998, deal with the outstanding disciplinary proceeding or public complaint under Part V.

Proceed under new Part V from January 1, 1998

(4) As of January 1, 1998, all outstanding disciplinary matters that commenced before the coming into force of this section and all proceedings with respect to public complaints that were made before the coming into force of this section shall be taken up and continued under Part V so far as consistently may be.

Saving

(5) Despite subsection (4), a hearing that commenced but is not concluded before January 1, 1998 under Part V or VI of the Act, as it read immediately before its repeal by section 35 of the Police Services Amendment Act, 1997, may proceed to its conclusion after January 1, 1998 and Part V or VI of the Act, as the case may be, as it read immediately before its repeal, continues to apply to the hearing and to the powers of the chief of police, board, Commission or board of inquiry at the conclusion of the hearing.

Same

(6) Despite subsection (4), an appeal made before January 1, 1998 to Divisional Court under section 98 of the Act, as it read immediately before its repeal, may proceed to its conclusion after January 1, 1998 as if section 98 of the Act had not been repealed. 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

Confidentiality, exceptions

80. Every person engaged in the administration of this Part shall preserve secrecy with respect to all information obtained in the course of his or her duties under this Part and shall not communicate such information to any other person except,

(a) as may be required in connection with the administration of this Act and the regulations;

(b) to his or her counsel;

(c) as may be required for law enforcement purposes; or

(d) with the consent of the person, if any, to whom the information relates. 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 70.

PART VI (ss. 80-112) Repealed: 1997, c. 8, s. 35.

PART VII
SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS

Special investigations unit

113. (1) There shall be a special investigations unit of the Ministry of the Solicitor General.

Composition

(2) The unit shall consist of a director appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council on the recommendation of the Solicitor General and investigators appointed under the Public Service Act.

Idem

(3) A person who is a police officer or former police officer shall not be appointed as director, and persons who are police officers shall not be appointed as investigators.

Peace officers

(4) The director and investigators are peace officers.

Investigations

(5) The director may, on his or her own initiative, and shall, at the request of the Solicitor General or Attorney General, cause investigations to be conducted into the circumstances of serious injuries and deaths that may have resulted from criminal offences committed by police officers.

Restriction

(6) An investigator shall not participate in an investigation that relates to members of a police force of which he or she was a member.

Charges

(7) If there are reasonable grounds to do so in his or her opinion, the director shall cause informations to be laid against police officers in connection with the matters investigated and shall refer them to the Crown Attorney for prosecution.

Report

(8) The director shall report the results of investigations to the Attorney General.

Co-operation of police forces

(9) Members of police forces shall co-operate fully with the members of the unit in the conduct of investigations. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 113.

PART VIII
LABOUR RELATIONS

Definitions, Part VIII

114. In this Part,

“Arbitration Commission” means the Ontario Police Arbitration Commission continued by subsection 131(1); (“Commission d’arbitrage”)

“senior officer” means a member of a police force who has the rank of inspector or higher or is employed in a supervisory or confidential capacity. (“agent supérieur”) R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 114.

Exclusions

O.P.P.

115. (1) This Part, except section 117, does not apply to the Ontario Provincial Police.

Chief of police and deputy

(2) The working conditions and remuneration of the chief of police and deputy chief of police of a police force shall be determined under clause 31 (1) (d) (responsibilities of board) and not under this Part. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 115.

Hearing re person’s status

116. (1) If there is a dispute as to whether a person is a member of a police force or a senior officer, any affected person may apply to the Commission to hold a hearing and decide the matter.

Decision final

(2) The Commission’s decision is final. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 116.

Membership in trade union prohibited, exception

117. A member of a police force shall not become or remain a member of a trade union or of an organization that is affiliated directly or indirectly with a trade union, unless the membership is required for secondary activities that do not contravene section 49 and the chief of police consents. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 117.

Separate bargaining, etc., separate categories

118. (1) If a majority of the members of a police force, or an association that is entitled to give notices of desire to bargain, assigns the members of the police force to different categories for the purposes of this Part, bargaining, conciliation and arbitration shall be carried on as if each category were a separate police force.

Senior officers

(2) If at least 50 per cent of the senior officers of a police force belong to an association composed only of senior officers, bargaining, conciliation and arbitration shall be carried on as if the senior officers were a separate police force.

Restriction

(3) Bargaining, conciliation and arbitration may be carried on with more than two categories within a police force (apart from senior officers) only if the Commission has approved the creation of the categories. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 118.

Notice of desire to bargain

119. (1) If no agreement exists or at any time after ninety days before an agreement would expire but for subsection 129(1) or (2), a majority of the members of a police force may give the board notice in writing of their desire to bargain with a view to making an agreement, renewing the existing agreement, with or without modifications, or making a new agreement. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 119 (1).

Bargaining

(2) Within fifteen days after the notice of desire to bargain is given or within the longer period that the parties agree upon, the board shall meet with a bargaining committee of the members of the police force. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 119 (2).

Idem

(3) The parties shall bargain in good faith and make every reasonable effort to come to an agreement dealing with the remuneration, pensions, sick leave credit gratuities and grievance procedures of the members of the police force and, subject to section 126, their working conditions. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 119 (3).

Filing of agreement

(4) The board shall promptly file a copy of any agreement with the Arbitration Commission. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 119 (4).

Association

(5) If at least 50 per cent of the members of the police force belong to an association, it shall give the notice of desire to bargain. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 119 (5).

Municipal plans, notice to Minister

(6) If the notice of desire to bargain involves pensions under a pension plan established or to be established under the Municipal Act, 2001, it shall also be given to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, who may determine the maximum pension benefits that may be included in any agreement or award with respect to the pension plan. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 119 (6); 2002, c. 17, Sched. F, Table.

Bargaining committee

120. (1) The members of the bargaining committee shall be members of the police force.

Counsel and advisors

(2) One legal counsel and one other advisor for each of the bargaining committee and the board may participate in the bargaining sessions.

Police organization

(3) If the notice of desire to bargain is given by an association that is affiliated with a police organization, or if at least 50 per cent of the members of the police force belong to a police organization, a member of the organization may attend the parties’ bargaining sessions in an advisory capacity.

Chief of police

(4) The chief of police or, if the parties consent, another person designated by the chief of police may also attend the parties’ bargaining sessions in an advisory capacity. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 120.

Appointment of conciliation officer

121. (1) The Solicitor General shall appoint a conciliation officer, at a party’s request, if a notice of desire to bargain has been given.

Duty of conciliation officer

(2) The conciliation officer shall confer with the parties and endeavour to effect an agreement and shall, within fourteen days after being appointed, make a written report of the results to the Solicitor General.

Extension of time

(3) The fourteen-day period may be extended if the parties agree or if the Solicitor General extends it on the advice of the conciliation officer that an agreement may be made within a reasonable time if the period is extended.

Report

(4) When the conciliation officer reports to the Solicitor General that an agreement has been reached or that an agreement cannot be reached, the Solicitor General shall promptly inform the parties of the report. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 121 (1-4).

No arbitration until after conciliation

(5) Neither party shall give a notice requiring matters in dispute to be referred to arbitration under section 122 until a conciliation officer has been appointed, endeavoured to effect an agreement and reported to the Solicitor General and the Solicitor General has informed the parties of the conciliation officer’s report. 1997, c. 21, Sched. A, s. 5 (1).

Arbitration

122. (1) If matters remain in dispute after bargaining under section 119 and conciliation under section 121, a party may give the chair of the Arbitration Commission and the other party a written notice referring the matters to arbitration. 1997, c. 21, Sched. A, s. 5 (2).

Composition of arbitration board

(2) The following rules apply to the composition of the arbitration board:

1. The parties shall determine whether it shall consist of one person or of three persons. If they are unable to agree on this matter, or if they agree that the arbitration board shall consist of three persons but one of the parties then fails to appoint a person in accordance with the agreement, the arbitration board shall consist of one person.

2. If the arbitration board is to consist of one person, the parties shall appoint him or her jointly. If they are unable to agree on a joint appointment, the person shall be appointed by the chair of the Arbitration Commission.

3. If the arbitration board is to consist of three persons, the parties shall each appoint one person and shall jointly appoint a chair. If they are unable to agree on a joint appointment, the chair shall be appointed by the chair of the Arbitration Commission.

4. If the arbitration board consists of one person who was appointed by the chair of the Arbitration Commission or if the arbitration board consists of three persons and the chair was appointed by the chair of the Arbitration Commission, the chair of the Arbitration Commission shall select the method of arbitration and shall advise the arbitration board of the selection. The method selected shall be mediation-arbitration unless the chair of the Arbitration Commission is of the view that another method is more appropriate. The method selected shall not be final offer selection without mediation and it shall not be mediation-final offer selection unless the chair of the Arbitration Commission in his or her sole discretion selects that method because he or she is of the view that it is the most appropriate method having regard to the nature of the dispute. If the method selected is mediation-final offer selection, the chair of the arbitration board shall be the mediator or, if the arbitration board consists of one person, that person shall be the mediator. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 122 (2); 1997, c. 21, Sched. A, s. 5 (3).

When hearings commence

(3) The arbitration board shall hold the first hearing within 30 days after the chair is appointed or, if the arbitration board consists of one person, within 30 days after that person is appointed.

Exception

(3.1) If the method of arbitration selected by the chair of the Arbitration Commission is mediation-arbitration or mediation-final offer selection, the time limit set out in subsection (3) does not apply in respect of the first hearing but applies instead, with necessary modifications, in respect of the commencement of mediation.

Time for submission of information

(3.2) If the method of arbitration selected by the chair of the Arbitration Commission is mediation-arbitration or mediation-final offer selection, the chair of the arbitration board or, if the arbitration board consists of one person, that person may, after consulting with the parties, set a date after which a party may not submit information to the board unless,

(a) the information was not available prior to the date;

(b) the chair or, if the arbitration board consists of one person, that person permits the submission of the information; and

(c) the other party is given an opportunity to make submissions concerning the information.

Hearing

(3.3) If the method of arbitration selected by the chair of the Arbitration Commission is conventional arbitration, the arbitration board shall hold a hearing, but the chair of the arbitration board or, if the arbitration board consists of one person, that person may impose limits on the submissions of the parties and the presentation of their cases.

Consolidation of disputes

(3.4) Disputes may be arbitrated together only if all the parties to the disputes agree.

Time for decision

(3.5) The arbitration board shall give a decision within 90 days after the chair is appointed or, if the arbitration board consists of one person, within 90 days after that person is appointed.

Extension

(3.6) The parties may agree to extend the time described in subsection (3.5), either before or after the time has passed.

Remuneration and expenses

(3.7) The remuneration and expenses of the members of an arbitration board shall be paid as follows:

1. A party shall pay the remuneration and expenses of a member appointed by or on behalf of the party.

2. Each party shall pay one-half of the chair’s remuneration and expenses or, if the arbitration board consists of one person, one-half of that person’s remuneration and expenses. 1997, c. 21, Sched. A, s. 5 (4).

Representations by council

(4) The municipal council may make representations before the arbitration board if it is authorized to do so by a resolution. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 122 (4).

Criteria

(5) In making a decision or award, the arbitration board shall take into consideration all factors it considers relevant, including the following criteria:

1. The employer’s ability to pay in light of its fiscal situation.

2. The extent to which services may have to be reduced, in light of the decision or award, if current funding and taxation levels are not increased.

3. The economic situation in Ontario and in the municipality.

4. A comparison, as between the employees and other comparable employees in the public and private sectors, of the terms and conditions of employment and the nature of the work performed.

5. The employer’s ability to attract and retain qualified employees.

6. The interest and welfare of the community served by the police force.

7. Any local factors affecting that community.

Transition

(5.1) Subsection (5) does not apply if, on or before the day the Savings and Restructuring Act, 1996 receives Royal Assent,

(a) an oral or electronic hearing has begun; or

(b) the arbitration board has received all the submissions, if no oral or electronic hearing is held.

Restriction

(5.2) Nothing in subsection (5) affects the powers of the arbitration board. 1996, c. 1, Sched. Q, s. 3.

Filing of award

(6) The arbitration board shall promptly file a copy of its decision or award with the Arbitration Commission. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 122 (6).

(7) Repealed: 1997, c. 21, Sched. A, s. 5 (5).

Existing proceedings discontinued

122.1 (1) Proceedings before an arbitrator or arbitration board under this Act in which a hearing commenced before the date on which subsection 5 (6) of the Public Sector Dispute Resolution Act, 1997 comes into force are terminated and any decision in such proceedings is void.

Exception, completed proceedings

(2) This section does not apply with respect to proceedings if,

(a) a final decision is issued on or before June 3, 1997; or

(b) a final decision is issued after June 3, 1997 and the decision is served before the date on which subsection 5 (6) of the Public Sector Dispute Resolution Act, 1997 comes into force.

Exception, by agreement

(3) This section does not apply if the parties agree in writing after June 3, 1997 to continue the proceedings. 1997, c. 21, Sched. A, s. 5 (6).

Dispute, appointment of conciliation officer

123. (1) The Solicitor General shall appoint a conciliation officer, at a party’s request, if a difference arises between the parties concerning an agreement or an arbitrator’s decision or award made under this Part, or if it is alleged that an agreement or award has been violated.

Duty of conciliation officer

(2) The conciliation officer shall confer with the parties and endeavour to resolve the dispute and shall, within fourteen days after being appointed, make a written report of the results to the Solicitor General.

Extension of time

(3) The fourteen-day period may be extended if the parties agree or if the Solicitor General extends it on the advice of the conciliation officer that the dispute may be resolved within a reasonable time if the period is extended.

Report

(4) When the conciliation officer reports to the Solicitor General that the dispute has been resolved or that it cannot be resolved by conciliation, the Solicitor General shall promptly inform the parties of the report.

No arbitration during conciliation

(5) Neither party shall give a notice referring the dispute to arbitration until the Solicitor General has informed the parties of the conciliation officer’s report. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 123.

Arbitration after conciliation fails

124. (1) If the conciliation officer reports that the dispute cannot be resolved by conciliation, either party may give the Solicitor General and the other party a written notice referring the dispute to arbitration. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 124 (1).

Idem

(2) The procedure provided by subsection (1) is available in addition to any grievance or arbitration procedure provided by the agreement, decision or award. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 124 (2).

Composition of arbitration board

(3) The following rules apply to the composition of the arbitration board:

1. The parties shall determine whether it shall consist of one person or of three persons. If they are unable to agree on this matter, or if they agree that the arbitration board shall consist of three persons but one of the parties then fails to appoint a person in accordance with the agreement, the arbitration board shall consist of one person.

2. If the arbitration board is to consist of one person, the parties shall appoint him or her jointly. If they are unable to agree on a joint appointment, the person shall be appointed by the Solicitor General.

3. If the arbitration board is to consist of three persons, the parties shall each appoint one person and shall jointly appoint a chair. If they are unable to agree on a joint appointment, the chair shall be appointed by the Solicitor General. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 124 (3).

Time for arbitration

(4) The arbitration board shall commence the arbitration within thirty days after being appointed, in the case of a one-person board, or within thirty days after the appointment of the chair, in the case of a three-person board, and shall deliver a decision within a reasonable time. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 124 (4).

Filing of decision

(5) The arbitration board shall promptly file a copy of its decision with the Arbitration Commission. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 124 (5).

Costs and expenses

(6) The following rules apply with respect to the costs and expenses of the arbitration:

1. The Arbitration Commission shall pay the fees of any person the Solicitor General appoints to the arbitration board.

2. Each party shall pay its own costs incurred in the arbitration, including the fees of any person it appoints to the arbitration board.

3. The parties shall share equally the costs and expenses for matters shared in common, including the fees of any person whom they jointly appoint to the arbitration board. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 124 (6).

Enforcement

(7) After the day that is thirty days after the delivery of the decision or after the day that the decision provides for compliance, whichever is later, the arbitration board may, of its own motion, and shall, at a party’s request, file a copy of the decision, in the prescribed form, with the Superior Court of Justice. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 124 (7); 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 71.

Idem

(8) The decision shall be entered in the same way as a judgment of the Superior Court of Justice and may be enforced as such. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 124 (8); 2002, c. 18, Sched. N, s. 71.

Extension of time

125. The parties may agree to extend any period of time mentioned in this Part. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 125.

Restriction

126. Agreements and awards made under this Part do not affect the working conditions of the members of the police force in so far as those working conditions are determined by sections 42 to 49, subsection 50 (3), Part V (except as provided in subsection 64 (17)) and Part VII of this Act and by the regulations. 1997, c. 8, s. 36.

Non-application of Arbitration Act, 1991

127. The Arbitration Act, 1991 does not apply to arbitrations conducted under this Part. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 127; 1997, c. 21, Sched. A, s. 5 (7).

Agreements, decisions and awards binding

128. Agreements, decisions and awards made under this Part bind the board and the members of the police force. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 128.

Duration of agreements, decisions and awards

129. (1) Agreements, decisions and awards remain in effect until the end of the year in which they come into effect and thereafter continue in effect until replaced.

Longer duration if parties agree

(2) The parties to an agreement may provide that the agreement and any decisions or awards made with respect to it shall remain in effect until the end of the year following the year in which they come into effect and thereafter shall continue in effect until replaced. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 129.

Provision for expenditures

130. (1) If, when the council is adopting its annual estimates, a notice of desire to bargain has been given but there is not yet an agreement, decision or award, the council shall make such provision for the payment of expenditures that will result from the expected agreement, decision or award as it considers adequate.

Coming into effect

(2) An agreement, decision or award comes into effect on the first day of the fiscal period in respect of which the municipal council may make provision for it in its estimates, whether that day is before or after the agreement, decision or award is made.

Exception

(3) A provision of the agreement, decision or award that does not involve municipal expenditures may come into effect earlier than the day referred to in subsection (2). R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 130.

Composition of Arbitration Commission, etc.

131. (1) The commission known as the Ontario Police Arbitration Commission is continued under the name of Ontario Police Arbitration Commission in English and the name of Commission d’arbitrage de la police de l’Ontario in French. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 131 (1).

Membership

(2) The Arbitration Commission shall be composed of the following members, appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council:

1. Two representatives of boards, recommended for appointment by the Ontario Association of Police Services Boards.

2. Two representatives of members of associations, recommended for appointment by the Police Association of Ontario.

3. A chair. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 131 (2); 1997, c. 8, s. 37.

Terms of office

(3) The representatives of boards and members of associations shall hold office for two-year terms and may be reappointed; the chair shall hold office during pleasure.

Employees

(4) Such employees as are necessary for the proper conduct of the Arbitration Commission’s work may be appointed under the Public Service Act. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 131 (3, 4).

Responsibilities of Arbitration Commission

(5) The Arbitration Commission has the following responsibilities:

1. Maintaining a register of arbitrators who are available for appointment under section 124.

2. Assisting arbitrators by making administrative arrangements in connection with arbitrations.

3. Fixing the fees of arbitrators appointed by the Solicitor General under section 124.

4. Sponsoring the publication and distribution of information about agreements, arbitrations and awards.

5. Sponsoring research on the subject of agreements, arbitrations and awards.

6. Maintaining a file of agreements, decisions and awards made under this Part. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 131 (5); 1997, c. 21, Sched. A, s. 5 (8).

Regulations

(6) Subject to the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council, the Arbitration Commission may make regulations,

(a) governing the conduct of arbitrations and prescribing procedures for them;

(b) prescribing forms and providing for their use. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 131 (6).

Consultation before chair appointed

(6.1) No person shall be appointed as chair of the Arbitration Commission after this subsection comes into force unless the Solicitor General or his or her delegate has first consulted with or attempted to consult with,

(a) bargaining agents that, in the opinion of the Solicitor General or his or her delegate, are reasonably representative of the bargaining agents that represent members of police forces; and

(b) employers or employers’ organizations that, in the opinion of the Solicitor General or his or her delegate, are reasonably representative of the employers of members of police forces.

Roster for appointments under s. 122

(6.2) The chair of the Arbitration Commission shall establish and maintain a roster of persons who the chair may appoint under section 122.

Appointment of persons not on roster

(6.3) The chair of the Arbitration Commission may appoint a person under section 122 who is not on the roster but only if the chair has first consulted with, or attempted to consult with, the other members of the Arbitration Commission.

Same

(6.4) No person shall be placed on or removed from the roster unless the chair of the Arbitration Commission has first consulted with, or attempted to consult with, the other members of the Arbitration Commission. 1997, c. 21, Sched. A, s. 5 (9).

Transition

(7) The persons who are members of the Arbitration Commission on the 31st day of December, 1990 shall continue to hold office until their terms expire, and may be reappointed in accordance with subsection (2). R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 131 (7).

PART IX
REGULATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS

Property in possession of police force

132. (1) This section applies to personal property of all kinds, except firearms and money, that comes into the possession of a police force under either of the following circumstances:

1. The property was stolen from its owner or was found abandoned in a public place, and the chief of police is unable to determine who owns it.

2. The property was seized by a member of the police force in the lawful execution of his or her duties, all legal proceedings in respect of the property have been completed, there is no court order for its disposition and there is no legal requirement, apart from this section, that it be retained or disposed of.

Sale

(2) The chief of police may cause the property to be sold, and the board may use the proceeds for any purpose that it considers in the public interest.

Perishable property

(3) If the property is perishable, it may be sold at any time without notice. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 132 (1-3).

Non-perishable property

(4) If the property is not perishable, the following rules apply to its sale:

1. The property may be sold when it has been in the possession of the police force for at least one month, in the case of a motor vehicle as defined in the Highway Traffic Act or a bicycle, or for at least three months, in the case of other property.

2. The sale shall be by public auction or by public tender.

3. At least ten days notice of the time and place of the public auction shall be given by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality.

4. The sale may be adjourned, repeatedly if necessary, until the property is sold. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 132 (4); 1997, c. 8, s. 38.

Claim of owner of property

(5) If a motor vehicle, bicycle or other property has been sold before it has been in the possession of the police force for three months and if the owner makes a claim before that time, the owner is entitled to receive the proceeds, less the costs of storage, advertising and sale.

Register of property

(6) The chief of police shall ensure that the police force keeps a register of property and that the following rules are followed:

1. The description and location of every item of property shall be recorded.

2. If the property is sold, full particulars shall be recorded.

3. If the property is returned to its owner, his or her name, address and telephone number shall be recorded.

Exception

(7) This section does not apply to a motor vehicle that is impounded under section 220 of the Highway Traffic Act. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 132 (5-7).

Money

133. (1) This section applies to money that comes into the possession of a police force under the circumstances described in paragraph 1 or 2 of subsection 132(1).

Accounting

(2) The money shall be accounted for according to the prescribed method.

Use of money

(3) If three months have elapsed after the day the money came into the possession of the police force and the owner has not claimed it, the board may use it for any purpose that it considers in the public interest. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 133.

Firearms

134. (1) This section applies to firearms that are in the possession of a police force because they have been found, turned in or seized.

Safe-keeping, return to owner

(2) The chief of police shall ensure that firearms are securely stored, and that they are returned to their owners if there is a court order or other legal requirement to that effect.

Destruction

(3) If all possible court proceedings relating to a firearm have been completed or the time for them has expired and there is no court order or other legal requirement governing how the firearm is to be dealt with, the chief of police shall ensure that it is destroyed promptly, unless subsection (4) applies.

Firearm of special interest

(4) If the chief of police considers the firearm unique, an antique, or of educational or historical value, he or she shall notify the Director of the Centre of Forensic Sciences.

Idem

(5) If the Director indicates, within three months of receiving notice, that the firearm is required for the Centre’s collection, the chief of police shall ensure that it is transferred there.

Idem

(6) If the Director indicates that the firearm is not required for the Centre’s collection or fails to respond within three months of receiving notice, the chief of police shall ensure that the firearm is destroyed promptly.

Disposal otherwise than by destruction

(7) The chief of police may dispose of a firearm to which subsection (6) applies otherwise than by having it destroyed if he or she first obtains the Solicitor General’s approval of the method of disposal. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 134 (1-7).

Register of firearms

(8) The chief of police shall ensure that the police force keeps a register of firearms and that the following rules are followed:

1. Every firearm’s description and location shall be recorded.

2. When a firearm ceases to be in the possession of the board or of a member of the police force, full particulars shall be recorded, including the name of the person who disposed of it and the date and method of disposal.

3. If the firearm is returned to its owner, his or her name, address and telephone number shall also be recorded.

4. On or before the 31st day of January in each year, a statement shall be filed with the Solicitor General listing the firearms that have come into the possession of the police force during the preceding calendar year, indicating which firearms are still being retained and which have been disposed of, and giving the particulars of disposition. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 134 (8); 1997, c. 8, s. 39.

Regulations

135. (1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations,

1. prescribing standards for police services;

1.1 establishing and governing standards concerning the adequacy and effectiveness of police services, including prescribing methods for monitoring and evaluating the adequacy and effectiveness of police services against such standards;

2. prescribing procedures for the inspection and review by the Solicitor General of police forces;

3. requiring municipalities to provide police detention facilities, governing those facilities and providing for their inspection;

4. providing for financial aid to police training schools;

5. prescribing the minimum amount of remuneration to be paid by municipalities to the members of boards who are appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council or Solicitor General;

6. prescribing the procedures to be followed by boards and the places at which their meetings shall be held;

6.1 governing the selection and appointment of members of boards;

6.2 prescribing courses of training for members of boards and prescribing standards in that connection;

6.3 prescribing a code of conduct for members of boards;

7. prescribing the forms of oaths or affirmations of office and secrecy for the purposes of section 32(members of boards), section 45(police officers), subsection 52(6) (auxiliary members of police forces), subsection 53(9) (special constables) and subsection 54(8) (First Nations Constables);

8. respecting the government, operation and administration of police forces;

9. governing the qualifications for the appointment of persons to police forces and for their promotion;

10. prescribing the method for determining the amounts owed by municipalities for police services provided by the Ontario Provincial Police under section 5.1, prescribing the time when and manner in which the payments are to be made, (and, for such purposes, classifying municipalities and prescribing different methods, different times or different manners for different classes of municipalities), prescribing the interest, or the method of determining the interest, owed on late payments and governing payment credits and refunds for overpayments;

11. requiring territories without municipal organization to pay for police services provided by the Ontario Provincial Police, prescribing the method for determining the amounts owed by such territories, prescribing the time when and manner in which the payments are to be made, (and, for such purposes, classifying territories and prescribing different methods, different times or different manners for different classes of territories), prescribing the method of collecting such payments, including collection under the Provincial Land Tax Act, and, if the method of collection is not under the Provincial Land Tax Act, prescribing the interest, or the method of determining the interest, owed on late payments and governing payment credits and refunds for overpayments;

12. respecting the political activities in which municipal police officers are permitted to engage;

13. establishing the ranks that shall be held by members of municipal police forces;

14. prescribing the minimum salary or other remuneration and allowances to be paid to members of municipal police forces;

14.1 providing for the granting of service badges to members of the Ontario Provincial Police or any class thereof and for the payment of allowances to those members who are granted service badges;

15. regulating or prohibiting the use of any equipment by a police force or any of its members;

16. regulating the use of force by members of police forces;

17. prescribing standards of dress for police officers on duty and prescribing requirements respecting police uniforms;

18. prescribing courses of training for members of police forces and prescribing standards in that connection;

19. governing the conduct, duties, suspension and dismissal of members of police forces;

20. describing the circumstances under which members of police forces are permitted and not permitted to pursue persons by means of motor vehicles, and prescribing procedures that shall be followed when a person is pursued in that manner;

20.1 prescribing the nature of the information that may be disclosed under subsection 41 (1.1) by a chief of police or a person designated by a chief of police, to whom it may be disclosed and the circumstances in which it may be disclosed;

21. prescribing the records, returns, books and accounts to be kept by police forces and boards and their members;

22. prescribing the method of accounting for fees and costs that come into the hands of members of police forces;

23. prescribing a code of conduct in which offences constituting misconduct are described for the purposes of section 74;

23.1 defining “frivolous or vexatious” and “made in bad faith” for the purposes of clause 22 (1) (e.1) and subsections 59 (3), 62 (2) and 65 (3);

24. providing for the payment of fees and expenses to witnesses at hearings conducted under Part V;

25. prescribing procedures for the investigation of complaints under Part V;

26. Repealed: 1997, c. 8, s. 40 (6).

27. prescribing the method of accounting for money to which section 133 applies;

28. prescribing forms and providing for their use;

29. prescribing any matter that this Act requires to be prescribed or refers to as being prescribed;

30. respecting any matter that is necessary or advisable to implement this Act effectively. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 135 (1); 1995, c. 4, s. 4 (11); 1997, c. 8, s. 40; 1997, c. 17, s. 10.

Idem

(2) A regulation made under subsection (1) may be general or particular in its application. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 135 (2).

Crown bound

136. This Act binds the Crown in right of Ontario. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 136.

PART X
COURT SECURITY

Court security

Municipalities with police forces

137. (1) A board that is responsible for providing police services for one or more municipalities has the following responsibilities, with respect to premises where court proceedings are conducted:

1. Ensuring the security of judges and of persons taking part in or attending proceedings.

2. During the hours when judges and members of the public are normally present, ensuring the security of the premises.

3. Ensuring the secure custody of persons in custody who are on or about the premises including persons taken into custody at proceedings.

4. Determining appropriate levels of security for the purposes of paragraphs 1, 2 and 3. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 137 (1); 1997, c. 8, s. 41.

Other parts of Ontario

(2) The Ontario Provincial Police Force has the responsibilities set out in paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 4 of subsection (1) in those parts of Ontario in which it has responsibility for providing police services.

Common law replaced

(3) The responsibilities created by this section replace any responsibility for ensuring court security that existed at common law. R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15, s. 137 (2, 3).