In December 2023, the province announced Bill 68, Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 (CSPA), which will bring sweeping changes to the law governing policing in Ontario. The new bill, which comes into effect on April 1, 2024, replaces the current Police Services Act (1990) and will focus on addressing community safety, enhancing police oversight, modernizing policing and establishing consistent mandated training requirements.
Some key changes to note include:
- The public complaints process;
- The new role of the Inspector General of Policing;
- The definition of Adequate and Effective Policing; and
- Codes of Conduct for Sworn Officers and Special Constables.
New Public Complaints Process
The Law Enforcement Complaints Agency (LECA), formerly known as the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) will take effect as an important change to the public complaints process. LECA will retain authority over all public complaints about the conduct of police officers and issues of a systemic nature and will have the power to investigate, even absent a public complaint if it is in the public interest to do so.
Please note, complaints related to events which occurred prior to April 1, 2024, will still fall under the former Police Services Act regulations.
The Guelph Police Service has been working to ensure our policies and practices are in compliance with the CSPA and understand the new Act and Regulations’ impact on our Service’s operations, policies and procedures.
You can consult the full CSPA on the Government of Ontario’s website.
