Comprehensive Police Services Act, 2019 Changes Ontario's Policing Landscape - Again
April 16, 2019
Legislation
Bottom Line
The Ontario Government’s Comprehensive Ontario Police Services Act, 2019 (“the Act”) received Royal Assent on March 26, 2019. The Act overhauls the Police Services Act, 2018 and repeals multiple pieces of legislation introduced by the previous Ontario government.
Purpose of the Act
The Ontario Government maintains that the Comprehensive Ontario Police Services Act, 2019 will strengthen trust between the police and the public. The Act’s declared goal is to treat police with greater respect and fairness by improving governance, training and transparency and introducing various mechanisms for enhanced oversight.
Key Components
Among other things, the Comprehensive Ontario Police Services Act, 2019:
- Introduces the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 to strengthen the emphasis on community-based policing;
- Transforms the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) into the Law Enforcement Complaints Agency (LECA) with the goal of reducing delays in the investigation process;
- Establishes the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) as a provincial agency accountable to the Attorney General with the aim to increase independence and focus the SIU’s mandate;
- Strengthens the role of the Inspector General of Policing;
- Mandates various educational programs for new police officers, new special constables, and Police Services Board members regarding human rights, systemic racism, diversity and indigenous issues;
- Introduces changes to the Coroners Act designed to enhance public safety and improve service delivery.
Repealed Legislation
The Act has repealed (or will repeal at a future date) various pieces of legislation passed by the previous Ontario government. These include:
- The Ontario Special Investigations Unit Act, 2018
- The Policing Oversight Act, 2018
- The Ontario Policing Discipline Tribunal Act, 2018
- The Police Services Act, 2018
- The Police Services Act, 1990
A comprehensive list of the proposed amendments can be found in the Ontario Government’s news release.
Controversy over Police Oversight Process
The Comprehensive Ontario Police Services Act, 2019 has sparked some controversy in the policing community over the SIU’s police oversight powers.
Previously, the SIU was mandated to investigate any case of serious injury or death or allegations of sexual assault involving interactions with the police. Under the new Act, the SIU may investigate only when an incident “may have resulted from criminal conduct by an official”. The controversy stems from the fact that the Chief of Police must first determine that criminal conduct has occurred before the SIU can launch an investigation.
Need more information?
Contact Derek Klatt at 416-408-5506, Donald Jarvis at 416-408-5516, or your regular lawyer at the firm.
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