8.1 Levels of Police in Canada/Starting a Police Investigation Chapter 8 – Investigation and Arrest

The most expensive part of the criminal justice system is policing The most expensive part of the criminal justice system is policing. These include of 60,000 police officers from three different levels: Federal, Provincial, and Municipal.

Federal Police The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) make up Canada’s federal police force. They provide investigation and protective services to the federal government, all provinces except Quebec and Ontario (and some municipal communities). At the Federal level the RCMP focus on 8 areas:

  Customs and Excise – including cases of international smuggling. The Canadian Revenue agency collect excise duties and taxes and the RCMP investigate violations of the Excise Act. Drug Enforcement –Enforces the laws identified in the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Economic Crime- focus on commercial fraud, organized crime, technology crime, and securities fraud. It also works with the Bank of Canada investigating currency counterfeiting. Federal Policing – enforces federal laws and regulations Immigration – focus on the smuggling of illegal aliens, the counterfeiting of passports and visas. Proceeds of Crime – identifies and confiscates money or property that is acquired through criminal activities. Criminal Intelligence – gathers intelligence or information on organized crime or terrorist groups. International Liaison and protective services – provides security for visiting federal officials. Help in Interpol investigations. These are not done exclusively by the RCMP, other law enforcement forces often work with the RCMP.

Provincial Police Provincial police have jurisdiction in rural areas and in unincorporated regions around cities. Provincial Police include Ontario Provincial Police (opp) Surete du Quebec, and royal Newfoundland Constabulary. Responsibilities of provincial police under Police Service Act. Policing municipalities that don’t have their own police force. Responding to municipal police requests during emergencies. Traffic control on all 400 series highways, including those in municipal districts. Investigative services to coroner’s office and provincial ministries upon request Maintaining provincial firearms registry, protection of Ontario government officials and dignitaries.  

Municipal Police Municipal police have jurisdiction within their specific city or town, and are paid for by that city or town. Municipalities without a police force use the RCMP for their policing. Responsibilities of Municipal police Preserving the police Prevention of crimes Assisting victims of crime Apprehending criminals Laying charges and participating in prosecutions Executing warrants Enforcing municipal by laws

Arriving at the Crime Scene The location where a crime takes place is referred to as a Crime Scene. The police arriving have several tasks to preform Call medical assistance for injured people if necessary Call reinforcements to help eliminate hazards like fire, bombs, etc. Search the crime scene as if the perpetrators are present and armed to secure it is safe, even if the perpetrators or witnesses have left.

Protecting and preserving the Crime Scene Evidence taken from the crime scene is invaluable in the crown’s case. The police at the scene must establish both the: Center of the crime scene – the area in which the offence was actually committed. Perimeter –the areas surrounding the center, where the offender may have been present or may have left evidence.

Crime scenes are preserved for three reasons: To allow for a thorough search To seize and collect physical evidence To ensure physical evidence collected is admissible in court

If the crime scene is not managed properly, evidence collected may become contaminated. This evidence is not admissible in court and may lead the police to draw inaccurate conclusions. The police use a log to accurately record any evidence collected by the officer, whether that be physical evidence or witness evidence. These logs are used to help the officer recount specific information when they testify in court.

Officers’ Roles at a Crime Scene Four types of police officers investigate a crime scene: Patrol officer – usually the first member at the crime scene. They are to secure the crime scene, ensure evidence stays in tack, wrap yellow ribbon around the perimeter, conduct witness interviews and arrest suspects if they come upon a crime in progress.

A Scene of the Crime Officer- trained in evidence collection and preservation techniques. Collect photographs, fingerprints, foot and tire imprints, and blood hair evidence. These officers tend to work less serious offences. A Criminal identification officer – is responsible for searching the crime scene, examining the scene for physical evidence, gathering and analyzing evidence, and sending some evidence to the lab for a further analysis.

A Criminal Investigation Bureau Officer – a plains clothes detective with experience in a special kind of crime like homicide, or robbery. They supervise the investigation, interview witnesses, interrogate suspects, draw conclusions from physical evidence, arrests suspects.