York Regional Police Explained

Agencyname:York Regional Police
Motto:Deeds Speak
Formedyear:1971
Headquarters:47 Don Hillock Drive, Aurora, Ontario
Stationtype:District
Stations:5
Minister1name:Michael Kerzner
Minister1pfo:Solicitor General of Ontario
Chief1name:James MacSween
Chief1position:Chief of Police
Sworn:1,562 (2015)[1]
Unsworn:618 (2015)
Website:www.yrp.ca

The York Regional Police (YRP) is the police service of the Regional Municipality of York, Ontario, Canada. YRP was formed in 1971 from the police forces maintained by the nine municipalities which amalgamated into York Region at the time. The force employs over 1,500 sworn members and 618 unsworn members as of 2015.

While YRP provides marine policing in the waters on Lake Simcoe, policing for Georgina Island (as well as Fox and Snake islands) is provided by the Georgina Island Police with assistance from the Ontario Provincial Police. The islands have had a separate First Nations police service since 1978.[2]

History

The York Regional Police were formed in 1971, when the province forced the creation of a regional upper-tier municipal government that included the lower-tier municipalities of York County.[3]

Prior to 1971, there were several police forces serving individual communities:

The YRP's motto, "Deeds Speak", is derived from the motto of the 3rd York Militia Regiment, many of whom also served as local constables in the Home District.[3] The YRP crest is based on the crest from the former County of York government.

Command

The YRP's senior command consists of a chief of police and four deputy chiefs.

The head of the police service is Chief Jim MacSween who was sworn in as chief on May 1, 2020. He replaced retired Chief Eric Jolliffe, after he served almost 10 years in the position. The administration and senior command are based at York Regional Police Headquarters in Aurora, Ontario.

List of chiefs of the York Regional Police

A list of chiefs of the York Regional Police since its creation in 1971:

Operations

Operations are composed of:

Operating districts

The York Regional Police are divided into five geographical districts:

Each district is headed by a superintendent and inspector.

Operational buildings

The York Regional Police provide a substation to the community of Whitchurch-Stouffville. Numerous personnel work out of this substation to provide a police presence for the community.[7] This community substation is supplied under the host of 5 District (Markham) resources.

Shared with the King Township municipal offices, York Regional Police deploys personnel from the King City Community Substation to provide rapid and fluid policing services to the residents of King Township. The substation is supplied under the host of 1 District (Newmarket) resources.

York Regional Police's Community Safety Village is a resource used by the service to teach young children about fire, traffic and personal safety. The resource includes a 10,000 square foot replica town with crosswalks, functioning traffic lighting and signals. Usually the resource is utilized by local schools, however, several family events are held at the location yearly.[8]

This site hosts the service's Collision Reporting Centre for collisions that occur of the southern municipalities in the region. It also offers services that include Police Information Checks, Criminal Record Checks and several other services.[9]

The former headquarters for 1 District is currently under renovations to become an administration building. The building will host certain bureaus and their respective units that are currently operated out of Headquarters.

Marine unit

The marine unit consists of 11 full-time members and patrols the southern shoreline of Lake Simcoe and other York Region waterways. It is responsible for approximately 350 square kilometers of Lake Simcoe and can service the entire lake if required. The unit has seven vessels at their disposal and are deployed from the Marine Unit Headquarters located at 57 Lorne St., in Jackson's Point, Georgina.[10]

Emergency support

Emergency support is a 23-member unit with an emergency response unit and explosive disposal unit.

Workforce

The service currently has an authorized strength of close to 1,700 sworn members and approximately 500 civilian staff.

Fleet

The York Regional Police are one of two forces in the greater Toronto area with an active air support unit (Durham is the other). While the Toronto Police Service does not have an air unit, York's air unit serves their area under a mutual support agreement.

The vehicles are numbered according to their District and car number. For example, 123 represents that the vehicle is from 1 District, and the following 23 is the vehicle designation number.

Other fleet numbering patterns include:

Marked cruisers are labelled with the motto "Deeds Speak".

Equipment list and details
 Make/Model  Type  Status 
Ford Police Interceptor(marked/unmarked/stealth) - regular cruisersactive but being phased out
Ford Explorer(marked/unmarked/stealth) - regular/k9 cruisersactive
Ford Crown Victoria(marked/stealth) - regular cruisersretired
Ford F-150(marked/unmarked) - Supervisor/Duty Inspectors/Marine/ERU utilizes a modified unmarked variants of the F-150active
Ford F-350(marked/unmarked) - Assigned to Public Safety Unit active
Dodge Charger (LX)(marked) - regular cruisersretired
Dodge Charger(stealth/unmarked) - Assigned to Each District and Road Safety Bureauactive
Dodge Durango(stealth) - Assigned to Each District and Road Safety Bureauactive
Chevrolet Impala(marked/stealth) - paid duty cruisersretired
Chevrolet Malibu(marked) - regular cruisersretired
Chevrolet SuburbanERU - cruiseractive
Chevrolet Capricecruiser1971-2013 - all retired
Harley-Davidson FLHTP(marked) - motorcyclesactive
Dodge Ram 1500(marked) - regular cruisers assigned to Road Safety Bureauactive
Terradyne Armored VehiclesArmoured Vehicle - ERU [12] active
Enstrom 480 (Callsign: AIR1) retired and traded-in for - Eurocopter EC120B (Callsign: AIR2)utility helicopter1995 helicopter (originally N911WF) donated to YRP in 2000[13] after sharing Bell Jet Ranger with DRPS for trial in 1999 and replaced in 2002 due to noise issues.[14] Sold and registered as C-GZVB.
Eurocopter EC120B (Callsign: AIR2) retired and replaced by Airbus Helicopters H125 (Callsign: AIR2)[15] utility helicopterAcquired in 2002 to replace Enstrom 480. Retired in 2023 when H125 was delivered.
Airbus Helicopters H125 (Callsign: AIR2) operated and maintained by Canadian Helicoptersutility helicopteractive; began service in March 2023
GMC C6500RIDE command vehicleN/A
GMC Vanduraforensics unit truckretired
Chevrolet C4500support vehicleN/A
GMC Savanna support vehicleactive
Chevrolet Tahoe(marked) - supervisor SUVretired
Ford Freestarvanretired
Suzuki Grand Vitaracommunity service SUVactive
Farbor/Freightliner truckscommand unitactive
MU1 (MAR1) Waawaatesi (named for the Ojibway word for "firefly")34' marine launch;[16] stationed at the Keswick Community Policing Officeactive
MU2 (MAR2) - Naawig (named for the Ojibway word for "out in deep water"[17])38' marine launch for open water operations with water nozzle on bow for marine fire fighting support to the Georgina Fire Department; stationed at the Keswick Community Policing Officeactive
A156m (20feet) RHIB zodiac[18] with 115 hp engine for water rescue operations; stationed at the Keswick Community Policing Officeactive
A163.2m (10.5feet) inflatable zodiac[19] for water rescue operations; stationed at the Keswick Community Policing Officeactive
A17 - 'John'canine boat; stationed at the Keswick Community Policing Officeactive
Volkswagen Beetlesafety bug (community vehicle)active
MU03 - Dawaabin1000 Island Airboats Inc 24' / 584 hp airboat for ice rescue operations on Lake Simcoe; stationed at the Keswick Community Policing Officeactive
Cambli International Thunder 1armoured tactical response vehicle for ERUdelivered in 2011
Admiral Drive Systems Incorporated London ON7.49m (24.57feet) aluminium vessel with 200 hp engine;[20] stationed at the Keswick Community Policing Officeactive
Yamaha3.35m (10.99feet) workboats;[21] [22] stationed at the Keswick Community Policing Officeactive
Yamaha Grizzly 550all terrain vehicle for community oriented response unit patrolactive
Bombardier Recreational Products CAN AM 500CCall terrain vehicle for community oriented response unit patrol2012; retired
Icor Technology Mk III Caliber Robotremote control robot2016

Three of the YRP's boats were named by Elder Barbara McDonald of the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation.

Uniform

Front line officers are dressed in dark blue (shirts, cargo pants (with red stripe) and boots), standard in most municipal police services in Ontario. Winter jackets are either black or reflective orange/yellow with the word police in white and blue at the back. Previously the service wore light blue shirts.

The uniform patch consist of the force's crest with wording "York Regional Police" on a black tombstone shape.

Auxiliary members wear the same uniform; lack of weapons, different shoulder patch and different hat band (black and red Sillitoe tartan) distinguish them from front line officers.

Officers wear standard forage caps and may opt for Yukon hats in the winter. Motorcycle units have white helmets. Black or reflective gloves are also provided to officers directing traffic. Red caps are used by search teams looking for missing persons.

Senior officers have white shirts and a dark blue dress jacket.

Crest

Flag

The YRP's flag consists of a nautical B signal flag with the YRP crest located in the white portion.

Ranks

The rank insignia of the York Regional Police is similar to that used by police services elsewhere in Canada and in the United Kingdom, except that the usual "pips" are replaced by maple leaves.

Police senior officers

The day-to-day and regional operations are commanded by senior officers:

Uniformed non-commissioned officers

On-road enforcement and emergency response is supervised by:

Investigative non-commissioned officers

Investigations are divided into crimes against persons and crimes against property. These investigations are conducted by:

Police officers

Civilian members

Communications

Communications is the branch of the York Regional Police responsible for receiving all 911 and non-emergency police calls. Under the supervision of information services, police communicators are on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The communications staff are non-sworn members of the York Regional Police, though the bureau is under the direction of an Inspector and a Staff sergeant.

Weapons

Product list and details
 Make/Model  Type  Status 
Glock 22 or 23Service Handgunactive
Beretta Centurion 96DService Handgunactive
Remington 870P or Remington 870 Police Magnumpump-action shotgunactive
Beretta 9mmService Handgunsold to the Belleville Police Service
Colt Canada C8 riflePatrol Rifleactive - used by ERU and Front Line Officers [26]
Axon TASER X2 and T7 [27] conducted energy weaponactive
ARWEN 37less-lethal baton launcher
(Unknown)sniper rifle

Emergency response unit

The emergency response unit (ERU) is the YRP SWAT team formed in 1980. The ERU is a group of specialized operators. The unit's primary mandate is to deal with high-risk situations beyond the safe operating limits of police officers with their normal equipment and training. The ERU provides assistance during any high risk situations by performing the following;

In 1988 demand for the ERU was on the rise. Various operational obligations including the fatal shooting of an armed suspect by the ERU during a hostage rescue in Richmond Hill highlighted the need for additional members. In 1989 the ERU increased to 11 members.

In 2001 the York Regional Police established a shared service agreement with the Durham Regional Police Service, which allows for reciprocal tactical support in the event of large scale or long duration deployments. The York Regional Police provide tactical team and hostage rescue team support to the South Simcoe Police Service upon their request.

Following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York City, increased awareness of terrorist threats provided the greatest single incentive for growth and investment of tactical teams in Ontario since the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, Quebec.

The ERU's roster was expanded in 2002 to an undisclosed number. The roster includes both snipers and explosives technicians.

The ERU has full explosive forced entry capabilities, which are mainly used in its hostage rescue and armed/barricaded operations. The ERU is regularly involved in high-risk search warrant services within the York Region and the Greater Toronto Area as well as a number of high-profile joint forces operations within Ontario.

The York Regional Police ERU conduct their own strenuous selection process, with the applicants mainly being from the departments' uniformed divisions. The unit also trains its own candidates in most required disciplines and is one of the founding members of the Ontario Tactical Advisory Body (OTAB).

Members of the ERU currently hold positions within the OTAB and Canadian Explosive Technicians Association (CETA) as well as membership in the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) and International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators (IABTI).

Traffic bureau

The traffic bureau was formed in 1989. At that time, the traffic bureau worked out of offices located at 200 Industrial Parkway South in the Town of Aurora. The traffic bureau was made up of officers whose primary function was to enforce traffic related laws. The unit was made up of six officers who drove motorcycles and marked police cruisers.

As time went on the unit began to specialize in the reconstruction of motor vehicle collisions. The unit expanded to approximately 20 officers working on four different platoons. The platoons followed the regular uniform officer shifts.

Collision reconstruction unit

On January 1, 2002, the traffic bureau was split into two separate entities, a traffic enforcement unit and a technical collision investigation unit (TCIU). The TCIU was made up of six officers on two separate shifts supervised by one supervisor.

In 2004, the technical collision investigation unit was renamed the "collision reconstruction unit". The unit had eight members made up of investigators and collision reconstructionists. The unit was still working with two shifts and each shift had a supervisor.

At present the collision reconstruction unit is made up of 10 officers. Two teams of four investigators and collision reconstructionists and a supervisor. The team members specialize in investigative techniques and collision reconstruction.

On December 15, 2003, York Regional Police's collision reconstruction unit investigated a collision on Rutherford Road west of Pine Valley Drive in the City of Vaughan that killed former NHL Chicago Black Hawks player Keith Magnuson. Rob Ramage, another former NHL player, was arrested and charged with impaired operation causing death and bodily harm, dangerous operation causing death and bodily harm, as well as over 80mgs. At the trial in the fall of 2007, Ramage was convicted of all the counts except the over 80mgs. In January 2008, Ramage was sentenced to four years in prison. He appealed his conviction and sentence. On July 12, 2010, the Ontario Court of Appeal upheld the conviction and sentence.

The members of the unit have received training in collision reconstruction, marine reconstruction and other related fields in Ontario as well as in the US

Enforcement unit

The enforcement unit is responsible for enforcement of all traffic laws. Officers from the enforcement unit perform breath tests and test drivers for sobriety utilizing standardized field sobriety testing and drug recognition experts. The York Regional Police's traffic bureau has trained over 100 frontline officers in the SFST battery and 15 officers trained as DREs

Officers from the enforcement unit utilize various speed measuring devices from hand-held radars and lasers to moving radar units in their police vehicles. Speed enforcement is conducted throughout the region. Special computerized ticket writing units are utilized in police vehicles to ensure there are no human errors.

The enforcement unit also instituted a prohibited driver program where officers investigate persons convicted of criminal driving offences whereby their driving privileges are revoked. Members use unmarked vehicles and conduct surveillance on suspects' home and court to catch violators.

The enforcement unit is known to have ticket quotas and unnecessarily handing out tickets. During the COVID-19 pandemic, York Regional Police officers wrote out tickets for expired licence plate stickers, despite the fact that the provincial government had extended the validity of these stickers indefinitely.[28] [29]

Emergency services

The York Regional Police are part of the York Region's emergency services and works with:

Community services

Bobby the Bear, Morris the Moose and Bucky the Beaver are the force's mascots and appear at various community events.[30] [31]

The York Regional Police also operates a variety of musical ensembles by permission of the chief. The York Regional Police Pipes and Drums, the Community Chorus, and Youth Band all represent the police force at parades, community functions and ceremonies.[32]

York Regional Police Pipes and Drums

The York Regional Police Pipes and Drums is a pipe band affiliated with the police service. Founded in 1988, it consists of serving members of the police force and the public.[33] The band represents the police force at a variety of events where appropriate, including parades and community functions. The band also competes in local pipe band competitions in grade 4.[34]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2015 York Regional Police Annual Report. York Regional Police. 7 July 2017. 9.
  2. Web site: Community Services: Fire & Police Services. 20 May 2013. Chippewas of Georgina Island . May 20, 2020.
  3. Web site: About . York Regional Police. May 20, 2020.
  4. Web site: Vaughan Township Police Department Fonds . City of Vaughan Archives . May 20, 2020.
  5. Web site: Chief Jim MacSween . York Regional Police . May 20, 2020.
  6. News: New York Regional Police #1 District headquarters in Newmarket opens Jan. 10. Queen. Lisa. Newmarket Era. 10 January 2022. 12 January 2022.
  7. Web site: Whitchurch-Stouffville Community Substation . York Regional Police . May 20, 2020.
  8. Web site: Community Safety Village . York Regional Police . May 20, 2020.
  9. Web site: Community Resource Centre . York Regional Police . May 20, 2020.
  10. News: Persico . Amanda . 2020-10-20 . New $7M York Regional Police marine unit headquarters in Jackson's Point floats into action . en-CA . The Toronto Star . 2022-04-15 . 0319-0781.
  11. Web site: Forensic Identification Assistant (Synopsis) . Public Safety Canada . 21 December 2018 . 22 October 2022.
  12. Web site: Police charge 25 people, seize $1.7 million worth of drugs in Ontario bust . CP24 . 15 July 2022 . 22 October 2022.
  13. Web site: Enstrom 480 . 2023-08-30.
  14. Web site: York Regional Police extends helicopter contract with Vaughan firm. 23 March 2023. Fantauzzi. Joe. Aurora Banner. 6 July 2012. https://archive.today/20230323140411/https://www.yorkregion.com/news-story/1436949-york-regional-police-extends-helicopter-contract-with-vaughan-firm/. 23 March 2023. live. /
  15. Web site: York Regional Police acquire H125 . March 22, 2023 . Oliver . Cuenca . AirMedandRescue.com . March 23, 2023.
  16. Web site: Details for registered vessel WAAWAATESI (O.N. 827453) . Transport Canada . May 21, 2020.
  17. News: New police boat unveiled in Keswick . June 14, 2013 . Heidi . Reidner . Yorkregion.com . May 21, 2020.
  18. Web site: Details for registered vessel C14233ON.
  19. Web site: Details for registered vessel C11464ON.
  20. Web site: Details for registered vessel C24923ON . Transport Canada . May 23, 2020.
  21. Web site: Details for registered vessel C20754ON.
  22. Web site: Details for registered vessel C20755ON.
  23. Web site: Official Board Crest . Regional Municipality of York Police Services Board. https://web.archive.org/web/20090721072604/http://yrpsb.ca/Official-Board-Crest.htm . July 21, 2009.
  24. Web site: R.R.O. 1990, Regulation 929: MUNICIPAL POLICE FORCES under Police Services Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15. Ontario E-Laws. 24 July 2014. 7 July 2017.
  25. Web site: R.R.O. 1990, Regulation 929: MUNICIPAL POLICE FORCES under Police Services Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15. Ontario E-Laws. 24 July 2014. 7 July 2017.
  26. Web site: Front-line officers to carry semi-automatic rifles in cruisers . CTV News . 19 January 2016 . 22 October 2022.
  27. Several Major Cities Across Canada to Deploy Axon's TASER 7 Device . PRN Newswire . PRN Newswire . 22 October 2022.
  28. Web site: Leaked York Regional Police document confirms ticket quotas. 11 June 2015 .
  29. Web site: Police give drivers tickets for expired licence plates despite it not being allowed. 22 September 2020.
  30. News: YRP Kick Off Crime Prevention Week - Shred It!. November 2011 . SNAP Newspaper Group . https://web.archive.org/web/20120306010940/http://www.snaprichmondhill.com/index.php?option=com_sngevents&id%5B%5D=66638 . March 6, 2012.
  31. Web site: Special Event Volunteers . 15 May 2020 . York Regional Police . May 20, 2020.
  32. Web site: Get Involved - York Regional Police. 2020-08-04. www.yrp.ca.
  33. Web site: Pipes and Drums - York Regional Police. 2020-08-11. www.yrp.ca.
  34. Web site: Latchford. Teresa. 2013-02-07. Newmarket piper celebrates 26 years of music. 2020-08-11. YorkRegion.com. en-CA.