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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 :.
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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 • 1stRCMP detachment of Aboriginal officers established in NB in 2000