Halton Regional Police Service

The Halton Regional Police Service provides policing service for the Regional Municipality of Halton, which is located at the south western end of the Greater Toronto Area, in Ontario, Canada, bordering the City of Hamilton to the west and the Cities of Mississauga and Brampton to the east. Halton Region encompasses the City of Burlington and the Towns of Oakville, Milton and Halton Hills. The Halton Regional Police Service has over 1050 employees which include 721 sworn police officers and approximately 350 civilian and volunteer members. The force is responsible for policing a population of approximately 540,000 people in an area covering 967 square kilometers.

Halton Regional Police Service
MottoProgress Through Participation
Agency overview
Formed1974
HeadquartersOakville, Ontario
Sworn members721
Unsworn members350
Elected officer responsible
Agency executive
Facilities
Districts3
Website
http://www.haltonpolice.ca

In 2018, the Police Service employed 721 police officers.[1] 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, a new Deputy Chief of District Operations was announced, Roger Wilkie, and the new Halton Regional Police Service Headquarters (at Bronte Rd. and North Service Road W. in Oakville) was opened. The Service moved from its old Bronte Rd. location in September. 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 head office.

Headquarters
Halton Regional Police Service Headquarters opened in September 2018

2485 North Service Road West,Oakville, Ontario, L6M 0Y3[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 Constantini

  • 20 Division - 95 Oak Walk Drive, Oakville

District 3

Commanded by Superintendent Anthony Odoardi 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

HRPS has opened up its cadet program, targeting residents between the ages of 18 to 24. This program gives valuable experience to cadets while taking pressure from the front-line constables.

They have the following desired qualifications for cadets:

  • Between the ages of 19-24
  • Resident of Halton Region or within 50 km of the area
  • Recent post-secondary graduate or in the last semester or post-secondary education

Units
HRPS mobile command unit

Investigative

  • Homicide
  • Domestic violence investigation
  • Child abuse and sexual assault (CASA)
  • Collision reconstruction
  • Firearms
  • Internet child exploitation (ICE)
  • Fraud and arson
  • Drug and Morality
  • Polygraph
  • Intelligence bureau
  • Forensic identification services

Emergency services

  • Tactical Rescue Unit (TRU)
  • K-9
  • Explosives Disposal Unit (EDU)
  • Marine unit
  • Search Incident Response Team
  • Crisis negotiators

Community policing

  • District response unit (DRU)
  • High school liaison
  • Community Safety and Well Being
  • Community Mobilization
  • Auxiliary police (auxiliary constable)
  • C.O.A.S.T mental health support team

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

Community policing philosophy

The HRPS is widely known as one of the first and also the most progressive community policing services in Canada with its strong emphasis on the community, with the idea for transformation of the organization being conceived in 1984. Community policing in the Halton region is a philosophy based on the concept that police officers and private citizens 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 have 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.[5] 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.[6]

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 and weapons
  • Ford Crown Victoria police interceptor
  • 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
  • Smith & Wesson M&P .40 caliber pistols also known as military and police 40- 600 ordered in 2008 as standard side arms for front-line officers[8]
  • Colt Canada C8A2 patrol carbine

References
  1. "Annual Financial Report 2018". Halton Region. 27 March 2019. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  2. "Halton Police Board". Halton Police. 7 September 2018. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  3. "Annual Report 2018" (PDF). Halton Region. 3 April 2019. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  4. "Regional Headquarters". Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  5. "Investigator's Creed". Special Investigations Unit. Queen's Printer for Ontario. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  6. Annual Report 2005/2006
  7. Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services
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