THUNDER BAY – “This legislation is an important new tool for law enforcement organizations in Ontario and outside our province. It is legislation police leaders have long advocated for and supported because it will help crime investigators do their important work across borders and promote greater cooperation between police services,” states Chief Robert P. Herman
president of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, and Thunder Bay Chief of Police.
The Interprovincial Policing Act, 2009 was passed by the Ontario Legislature last year and comes into effect today.
The legislation will help improve community safety by:
- creating a streamlined and efficient system to allow out-of-province police officers to continue their investigations in Ontario
- making it easier to investigate crime that occurs across jurisdictions in Canada
- enhancing coordinated investigations
- providing greater accountability and oversight for police officers from other provinces or territories operating in Ontario
Similar legislation in other Canadian jurisdictions allows Ontario police officers to work outside Ontario.
“Crime knows no boundaries, and this legislation helps us create a seamless approach to law enforcement by helping police pursue cross-jurisdictional investigations. This law helps improve the safety of our communities and reduce crime,” said Rick Bartolucci, Ontario’s
Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.