The Toronto Police Marine Unit is a part of the Specialized Emergency Response for the Toronto Police Service. The Marine Unit is located at 259 Queens Quay West and have three sub-stations located at Bluffers Park, Centre Island and Humber River, which are used for police and lifeguard functions. The Marine Unit is staffed with one Staff Sergeant, nine Sergeants, 27 Constables, 10 divers, and three mechanics.
The Marine Unit has a unique responsibility in the Toronto Police Service. It is the largest command and is responsible for all waterways within Toronto including two major rivers - the Humber River and the Don River - two large reservoirs, several large ponds and more than 1,190 square kilometers of open water on Lake Ontario. The coverage the Marine Unit provides on Lake Ontario is larger than the City of Toronto. The operational jurisdiction is from Etobicoke Creek in Peel Region to the Rouge River in Durham Region, and extends 13 nautical miles to the Canada/US border.
The Marine Unit provides support to PortsToronto, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, and the Toronto Islands. Marine Unit officers enforce the Criminal Code, Canada Shipping Act, Fisheries Act, Provincial Offences Act, and Toronto Port Authority by-laws. The Unit conducts many water-related operations, which include providing medical transport to communities on the Toronto Islands; performing ice and river rescues; and recovering persons and weapons.
Search and Rescue is a very important part of operational strategies and mandates. Marine Unit officers continuously train and exercise with multiple organizations, including Canada and US Coast Guards, Canada Border Services Agency, RCMP, OPP, US Department of Homeland Security, and the Regional Police Services of Durham, Halton, Hamilton, Niagara, Peel, and York. The Unit has a fleet of boats for quick response, body recoveries, diving operations and rough weather rescues.
The Marine Unit Community relations office acts as a liaison with the resident of the Toronto island communities as well as many safety councils. Officers also participate with safety programs, crime prevention and public education lectures. The police officers work closely with by-law enforcement and liquor inspectors to address complaints involving tour and party boats. Officers provide safety and education programs and crime prevention to the public. Officers are active in school presentations, public displays on water safety, and numerous tours of the unit from policing agencies from around the world.
The Marine fleet commands over 460 square miles of open water on Lake Ontario conducting search, rescue and patrol operations.
ViewDivers conduct search, rescue and recovery operations, manage marine crime scenes, and can specialize as underwater bomb technicians, dive medics and underwater death investigators.
ViewTraining for the Marine Unit involves swift water rescue, ice rescue, boat handling and intensive watercraft operations management and safety education.
ViewThe Marine Unit is responsible for ensuring all vessels are operating safely and are in good working order.
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Breed: Unknown
Adoption Date: September 2016
Porter is named after an airline that flies out of the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. When Porter was found stranded in a tire along the seawall at the airport by a passing group of Marine officers, they adopted him and welcomed him the Marine Unit. Porter now wanders the Rees St. facility, and can be often found napping in a cat bed at the front counter.
