Levels of Police in Canada Law in Action – Ch. 8

Canadian Criminal Justice System = policing, courts, correctional system Policing is the most expensive part of this system: – +65,000 officers at 3 levels (fed.,prov.,munic.) – cost of +$60 billion/yr.

Federal Police: Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) – formed in 1873 as the NWMP Provide protective and investigative services to the federal govt. Also act as a provincial force in all provinces except Ont. And Que. Also act as a municipal force in some communities In NWT, Yukon and Nunavut – only police force

Most of their work at the federal level is focused on the following areas: – Customs and Excise – international smuggling, taxation enforcement etc. – Drug Enforcement – enforces “Controlled Drugs & Substances Act” + interprov./internat. smuggling – Economic Crime – commercial fraud, organized crime, securities fraud, counterfeiting… – Federal Policing – environmental law, consumer protection, public safety… – Immigration – smuggling of aliens, false passports and visas etc…

– Proceeds of Crime – identifies and confiscates money and property acquired through illegal activities… – Criminal Intelligence – gathers info. On organized crime and terrorist groups – International Liasion and Protective Services – provides security for federal officials and visiting heads of state; cooperates with Interpol etc…

Provincial Police Have jurisdiction in rural areas and unincorporated regions around cities Largest force = Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Also – Surete du Quebec and Royal Newfoundland Constabulary In all other provinces (and in parts of NFLD) the RCMP act as provincial police

The responsibilities of provincial police include: – Policing municipalities that do not have their own – Responding to emergencies – Providing traffic control on major highways – Providing investigative services to the coroner and other Provincial ministries – Maintaining security at Provincial govt. buildings and providing security to visiting officials etc.

Municipal Police Have jurisdiction over policing in towns and cities throughout Canada – E.g: Vancouver, West Van., Abbotsford, Delta… Each municipality funds its own police force Smaller towns which cannot afford it, or choose not to, use the RCMP – E.g: Surrey, Ridge-Meadows, Coquitlam, Mission… Municipal forces are organized into Divisions Divisions are divided into specialized Squads – Homicide, Robbery, Gangs, K9….

A municipal officer’s duties may include: – Preserving the peace – Crime prevention – Assisting victims of crime – Apprehending criminals – Laying charges and participating in prosecutions – Executing warrants – Enforcing municipal by-laws

Aboriginal Police The First Nations Policing Policy is administered by the Dept. of Solicitor General Each First Nation can enter into an agreement with the Fed. and Prov. govts. to establish “stand alone” police forces or develop a First Nations contingent within an existing force Dakota-Ojibway Police Service = first stand alone Aboriginal Police service estab. In 1977 in SW Manitoba with 21 officers in 6 communities 1 st RCMP detachment of Aboriginal officers established in NB in 2000