Halton Regional Police Service

The Halton Regional Police Service provides policing service for the Regional Municipality of Halton, which is located west of Toronto, in Ontario, Canada. Halton Region encompasses the City of Burlington and the Towns of Oakville, Milton and Halton Hills. As of July, 2020, the Halton Regional Police Service has over 1,000 members, including 718 sworn police officers[1] and approximately 302 civilian and volunteer members. The service is responsible for policing a population of approximately 610,000 people in an area covering 692 square kilometers.

Halton Regional Police Service
MottoProgress Through Participation
Agency overview
Formed1974
Operational structure
HeadquartersOakville, Ontario
Sworn members718
Unsworn members302
Elected officer responsible
Agency executive
Facilities
Districts3
Website
http://www.haltonpolice.ca

The chief of police is the highest-ranking officer of the Halton Regional Police Service. The position belongs to Stephen J. Tanner, who began his term on September 1, 2012, and was sworn in on September 4. The Chief reports to the seven-person Halton Police Board which is independent from Regional or Municipal Council.[2]

History
A Halton Regional Police car with the black and white colour scheme parked at a crime scene

The Halton Regional Police Service was established in tandem with the creation of the Regional Municipality of Halton on January 1, 1974. It incorporated the former police services of Burlington, Oakville, Milton and Halton Hills and first consisted of 205 officers and 45 civilians. The Ontario Provincial Police continued to police the remainder of the region until 1975, when the regional force had expanded to the point where it could assume responsibility for the entire area.

In 2018 the new Halton Regional Police Service Headquarters at 2485 North Service Rd. W. was opened. The new facility totals 230,000 square foot in area.[3]

Crest
  • St. Edward's Crown
  • ribbon containing Halton's motto Progress Through Participation
  • the shield is based on the one for the Halton Region
  • Trillium - official flower of Ontario
  • wreath of golden leaves

Organization

The HRPS divides the region into five divisions (police stations) within three districts and one headquarters.

Headquarters
Halton Regional Police Service Headquarters opened in September 2018

2485 North Service Road West,Oakville, Ontario, L6M 3H8[4]

Chief Stephen J. Tanner

Deputy Chief Roger Wilkie

Deputy Chief Jeff Hill

District 1
12 Division of the Halton Regional Police

Commanded by Superintendent Al Albano, Inspector Julie Craddock

  • 10 Division - (Queen Street Substation) 315 Queen Street, Acton
  • 11 Division - 217 Guelph Street, Georgetown
  • 12 Division - 490 Childs Drive, Milton

District 2

Commanded by Superintendent Jeff Sandy and Inspector Dave Costantini

  • 20 Division - 95 Oak Walk Drive, Oakville

District 3

Commanded by Superintendent Bob Gourley and Inspector Ivan L'Ortye

  • 30 Division - 3800 Constable Henshaw Boulevard, Burlington

Rank structure

Commanding officers

  • Chief of Police
  • Deputy Chief of Regional Operations
  • Deputy Chief of District Operations

Senior police officers

  • Superintendent
  • Inspector

Police officers

  • Staff Sergeant / Detective Sergeant
  • Sergeant / Detective
  • Police Constable / Detective Constable

Cadet Program

The Halton Regional Police Service established its one-year Police Cadet program in June, 2009. The primary purpose of the Police Cadet program is to promote and enhance the career development and experience of future Police Constable candidates. The Cadets assist front-line officers throughout the region, at our community events. They are also assigned to a platoon, where they are assigned a mentor officer and exposed to all facets of front-line police work.

They have the following desired qualifications for cadets:

  • Between the ages of 19-24
  • Recent post-secondary graduate or in the last semester or post-secondary education

Units

Halton Regional Police Service operations are divided into a number of specialized units. These units include, but are not limited to: Drug and Human Trafficking, Firearms, Intelligence and Offender Management units, Child Abuse and Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Fraud, Homicide, Technology Crime, Canine, Tactical Rescue Unit, Marine, Explosive Disposal Unit, Marine Unit and our Regional Community Mobilization Bureau which includes School Liaison Officers, Community Safety and Well-Being, Crisis Outreach And Support Team, Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Team and Auxiliary Police.

Investigators are also assigned at the district level to the criminal investigation bureau which investigates crimes against persons and property.

The police service also has a ceremonial wing responsible for representing the police force at local events, parades, and internal police ceremonies. The Ceremonial Services comprises the Colour Guard, which is responsible for escorting the police colours on functions where their presence are required; the Chorus, a vocal group composed of civilian volunteers and serving police officers; and the Pipes & Drums, another musical ensemble which plays in a variety of parades and community events in the Halton area. [5]

Community Policing Philosophy

The Halton Regional Police Service is widely known as one of the most progressive community policing services in Canada with its strong emphasis on the community. Community policing in the Halton region is a philosophy based on the concept that police officers and members of the public work together, in partnership, resulting in creative ways to solve contemporary community problems related to crime, fear of crime, social and physical order, and neighbourhood decay. In recent years the Halton Regional Police has incorporated an intelligence-led policing strategy which is built around risk assessment and risk management, utilizing analysis in crime trends to effect an appropriate policing response.

Special Investigations Unit

The actions of police officers in the Province of Ontario are overseen by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) of Ontario, a civilian agency responsible for investigating circumstances involving police and civilians that have resulted in a death, serious injury, or allegations of sexual assault. The SIU is dedicated to maintaining one law, ensuring equal justice before the law among both the police and the public.[6] Their goal is to ensure that the criminal law is applied appropriately to police conduct, as determined through independent investigations, increasing public confidence in the police services.

Complaints involving police conduct that do not result in a serious injury or death must be referred to the appropriate police service or to another oversight agency, such as the Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services.[7]

Fleet
  • Ford Expedition
  • Dodge Charger Police Cruiser
  • Ford Taurus Police Interceptor
  • Ford Explorer Police Utility
  • Dodge RAM Police Undercover
  • Dodge Grand Caravan Undercover
  • Chevrolet Equinox LT Undercover
  • Chrysler 300 Undercover
  • Mobile Command Units (2)
  • Armoured Response Vehicle
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References
  1. "Annual Report 2019" (PDF). Halton Regional Police Service. 13 July 2020. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  2. "Halton Police Board". Halton Police. 7 September 2018. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  3. "Annual Report 2019" (PDF). Halton Regional Police Service. 13 July 2020. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  4. "Regional Headquarters". Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  5. https://www.haltonpolice.ca/about/ceremonial/index.php
  6. "Investigator's Creed". Special Investigations Unit. Queen's Printer for Ontario. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  7. Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services
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