Frequently Asked Questions

Civilian Member is a Toronto Police Service employee who is not a Police Officer.

All available civilian opportunities are posted under Civilian Opportunity Section of the Web site. As civilian positions become available, they will be posted on our website.

You will receive an email confirmation.

There is no specific time frame. There are several steps in the selection process that may include testing and interview. Please note, not all applicants will be contacted.

No. We keep applications active for one year from the date we receive them. During that time, your application may be brought forward for consideration for positions indicated on your application. You only need to submit a new application after the one-year time period has elapsed.

We will accept an online application, only during the posting period.

Yes. You may submit a general application which will be kept on file for one year.

The Toronto Police Service is a 24 hour operation; therefore, there are civilian positions that require working shifts. Please refer to the job posting for details.

The civilian positions that require a uniform are: Parking Enforcement Officer, Part-time Court Officer, Document Server, some positions in the Fleet Department, Telecommunications and Courier Services.

No. If you are required to wear a uniform, the Toronto Police Service will cover the cost.

If the position you are applying for requires First Aid and CPR certificates, you may apply for the position without having one, however, have in mind that at the time of offer you will be required to have up to date First Aid and CPR certifications.

No. The Toronto Police Service will cover the cost for your required training.

Only those applicants assessed best able to meet the organizational needs of the service will be selected for an interview.

Yes, we do. In order to participate in a PREP practice session, a candidate must:
(a) Attend a Toronto Police Service General Information Session (GIS),
(b) Have a TPS recruiter assigned to them,
(c) Visit http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/careers and register for a PREP practice session.

There are no set hours for volunteering. The hours of service are to be determined by a candidate’s personal schedule.

For the latest information regarding our hiring status, please visit our careers page for more information.

To be considered for the Police Constable position, you must meet the following requirements as outlined in the Police Services Act:

• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada,
• Be at least 18 years of age,
• Be physically and mentally able to perform the duties of the position, having regard to your own safety and the safety of members of the public,
• Have successfully completed at least four years of secondary school education or its equivalent. (Note: official transcripts and diplomas will be required).Where education has been completed outside Ontario, official proof of equivalency must be obtained,
• Be of good moral character and habits, meaning that you are an individual other people would look upon as being trustworthy and having integrity.

 In addition, you must:

• Have no criminal convictions for which a pardon has not been granted,
• Possess a valid driver's licence with no more than six accumulated demerit-points, permitting you to drive an automobile in Ontario with full driving privileges,
• Have current certification in CPR and first aid by the time the offer of employment is given,
• Possess a valid O.A.C.P. (Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police Certificate) certificate,
• Have a minimum of 20/40 (uncorrected) vision, with normal colour acuity,
• Successfully pass the hearing standards as outlined by the O.A.C.P.,
• Be able to pass a security clearance as well as background investigation, credit and reference checks.

A candidate must be 18 years of age to apply. Otherwise, there is no upper age limit.

After a candidate attends a General Information Session and before he/she can submit an on-line application, the candidate is required to successfully complete a series of preliminary tests, in accordance with The Constable Selection System as determined by The Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services and the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police.

The process for the Constable Selection System begins when a candidate: 

Registers for a test date with Applicant Testing Services (ATS). 

and 

Completes Stage 1 of the OACP testing. This includes passing: 

• The Physical Readiness Evaluation for Police (PREP),
• The Police Analytical Thinking Inventory (PATI),
• The Written Communication Test (WCT).

Once these initial tests have been passed, the candidate will move onto Stage 2 of the OACP test. This includes passing: 

• A vision test,
• A hearing test,
• A video simulation Behavioural Personnel Assessment Device (BPAD).

If all components of the OACP testing above have been successfully passed, the individual will receive the Ontario Chiefs of Police (OACP) Certificate of Results.

The OACP Certificate of Results is a certificate approved by the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police and must be obtained by a candidate prior to submitting their application. The certificate is attained after a series of preliminary tests have been completed through Applicant Testing Services.

OACP testing is conducted by Applicant Testing Services (ATS).

For more information, please contact: 
Applicant Testing Services (ATS) 
540 Clarke Road, Unit 14, 
London, Ontario 
N5V 2C7, 
1-800-429-7728 
www.applicanttesting.com

The fees are as follows:

• first time applicant - $330.53,
• re-test/renewal component fee - $79.42.

No. Applicants are directed to contact Applicant Testing Services in regards to scheduling a test date and location.

The PREP test is the physical portion of the O.A.C.P. testing and requires a candidate to pass both the pursuit/restraint circuit and the aerobic shuttle run in order to move onto the next phase of assessment.

Pursuit/Restraint Circuit
The Pursuit/Restraint Circuit simulates a foot pursuit and includes obstacles, control of a person who resists arrest and the dragging of an incapacitated person. Throughout this test, a candidate will be required to wear a 9 lb weighted belt AND a 9 lb vest to simulate the weight of standard police equipment.

Aerobic Shuttle Run
The shuttle run assesses a candidate’s level of aerobic fitness and is evaluated by running back and forth over a 20 meter course in time with tape recorded signals. The time to cover the 20 meter course is shortened progressively. Candidates must complete stage 7 to pass the component.

There is no requirement by the Toronto Police Service to have a candidate be a member of the auxiliary police prior to applying to the Police Constable position.

Yes, we do. In order to participate in a PATI/WCT session, a candidate must:
(a) Attend a Toronto Police Service General Information Session (GIS),
(b) Have a TPS recruiter assigned to them,
(c) Visit www.torontopolice.on.ca/careers and register for PATI/WCT mentoring session.

The vision test is an assessment of a candidate’s vision and is administered by Applicant Testing Services. If a candidate has any questions regarding the vision test, please contact Applicant Testing Services for more information.

Yes. Provided that they have successfully passed the vision test as conducted by Applicant Testing Services.
The decision to undergo corrective eye surgery is strictly the personal decision of the candidate and not a requirement of the Toronto Police Service.
If a candidate has any questions regarding corrective eye surgery and the vision test, please contact Applicant Testing Services for more information.

The hearing test is an assessment of a candidate’s hearing and is administered by Applicant Testing Services. If a candidate has any questions regarding the hearing test, please contact Applicant Testing Services for more information.

There is no numerical grade assigned to any of the OACP test components. Instead, all tests are given a PASS/FAIL grade.

A candidate must ensure that they have a valid OACP Certificate of Results during all stages of the Constable Selection Process.

When you’ve obtained your Certificate of Results, the next step is to:
(a) Log onto the Toronto Police Careers website,
(b) Complete the on-line application,
(c) Attach the necessary documents,
(d) Submit on-line application.

Applications will be valid for a period of one year from the date they are submitted to the Employment Unit. If you have not been contacted within one year from the date you submitted your application, a new application, with current certifications is required.

Yes. However, this must be disclosed on your application.

There are several ways to get in contact with a recruiter, you can either:

• Attend a General Information Session and one will be assigned to you,
• Refer to the “Contact a Recruiter” section of the Toronto Police website and either email or call them,
• Call (416) 808-JOIN and speak with a recruiter.

Only those applicants assessed best able to meet the organizational needs of the service will be selected for an interview.

There is no specific time period. All applicants are reminded that when applying, it is for the position of Police Constable and not a particular recruiting class.

Unless otherwise stated, the Toronto Police Service typically hires three times a year for classes which begin in December, April and August.

The cost of attending the Ontario Police College will be $11,065 starting January 2015.

Yes. Once hired, a candidate is classified as a Cadet in Training and will receive a salary of $58,220.

Yes, all police recruits entering OPC for the Basic Constable Training Program after September 1, 2013 will be required to bring a laptop or notebook computer for their studies. Tablet computers are not acceptable. Students should also be aware that a flash player is required (recommend v.11), 256 mb Video Card, Adobe Reader, Microsoft Office 2007 or higher and 1 removable storage device (thumb drive) minimum 1GB. Acceptable Web Browsers include Internet Explorer 7.0 and above or Mozilla Firefox 4.0 and above or Google Chrome or Safari 5.0 and above or Opera 11.

The Toronto Police Service accepts applications for the lateral entry/rehire process on a limited basis.

You must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered for the Lateral/Rehire process:

• Successful completion of recruit training at The Ontario Police College, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Depot or other accredited facility,
• Two years of continuous service following graduation,
• Successful completion of probationary period,
• Presently serving with a Police Service and in good standing,
• Former Toronto Police Service members must have left the Service for one complete year before seeking to reapply to the TPS.

If you meet the minimum requirements and/or wish further information please contact The Toronto Police Benefits and Employment unit at (416) 808-JOIN or email [email protected].

Although we appreciate your service in the military, all current and past members of any military service will proceed through the Constable Selection System like any other candidate.

The Toronto Police Service does accept on-line applications for the Police Constable position from international applicants provided that the applicant has met the minimum requirements as outlined in the Police Services Act.

In addition to this, individuals seeking a career as a police officer in the Province of Ontario, regardless of where they are from, must also successfully meet the requirements of the Constable Selection System in order be considered for the Police Constable Position.

Please note: The Toronto Police Service

• Can not influence Canadian Immigration procedure,
• Has no affiliation with any Immigration Consultant Organizations.

If you are unsure of what the Constable Selection System is or what the minimum requirements for the Police Constable position are, please refer to the Toronto Police Careers website for further information.

There is no requirement by the Toronto Police Service for a candidate to attend any Police Foundations or Law and Security program. The only requirement in regards to education is that a candidate possess a minimum grade 12 diploma or equivalent certificate.

Yes. Any candidate having attended secondary, post secondary or graduate school in any foreign country must contact any organization specializing in foreign credential evaluation and obtain a document verifying those credentials before submitting their application. Please refer to the Resource section of the Careers website, specifically the education section for more information.

Generally, an officer must be classified as a first class constable with a minimum of five (5) years road experience before they can be considered for any specialized units.

There are over 180 specialized units within the Toronto Police Service and they include:

• Police Dog Services,
• Marine Unit,
• Mounted Unit,
• Emergency Task Force,
• Drug Squad,
• Forensic Identification Services,
• Homicide Squad.

If an individual has declared bankruptcy and is interested in applying to the Police Constable position, the candidate must first resolve their credit situation prior to applying.

As per the OACP requirement, if an individual has been convicted of a criminal offence (in any country), they must first obtain a pardon prior to applying. Furthermore, if the individual has had a 'Findings of Guilt' which has resulted in absolute or conditional discharge, their records must be 'sealed' by the RCMP, prior to applying.

(This will be done automatically following one year if the absolute discharge is registered after July 24, 1992. For a conditional discharge, this will be done automatically following three years if the conditional discharge is registered after July 24,1992. Otherwise you must apply to have these records sealed.)

Please refer to the Resource section of the Careers website, specifically the Pardons section for more information.

Yes. Failure to knowingly not disclose a criminal record or any other information on the application can be grounds for disqualification from the Constable Selection System.

There is no requirement to obtain either of these licences when applying to the Toronto Police Service.

No, you cannot call an MCIT directly. If you or someone around you is experiencing a mental health crisis, call 9-1-1.

They are a seven-day-a-week service that supports people experiencing a mental-health crisis in the community. When an MCIT attends a call, they will:

• Assess the person in crisis
• Connect the person to appropriate follow-up services

MCITs attend in response to a call from a Priority Response Unit involving a mental-health crisis including thoughts of suicide or self-harm, distorted or psychotic thinking, anxiety, overwhelming depression, and those who may be suffering from a temporary breakdown of coping skills.

• Individuals who are intoxicated on drugs or alcohol
• Violent individuals or people with weapons
• Overdoses

A second responder means that an MCIT will go to a call along with the Primary Response Unit (the "regular" police). The Primary Response Unit makes sure that the client in crisis, and those around them, are safe.

The teams operate seven days a week and, depending on the team, will work as early as 6 a.m. and as late as 11 p.m. The hours are based on the times where the police receive the highest number of calls related to people experiencing a mental health or emotional crisis.

The TPS is available 24/7 to attend 9-1-1 calls involving an emotional crisis.

An MCIT consists of a nurse and a police officer. The job of the police officer is to make sure a person experiencing a mental health crisis, and those around them, are safe. In some cases, this might require that an individual is handcuffed. The MCIT police officer must fulfill his or her police responsibilities and follow TPS principles.

Where there are sufficient grounds to apprehend a person under the MHA, they will be taken to the nearest psychiatric facility, which is most often the nearest hospital emergency room.

To date, the Toronto Police Service is currently partnered with the following hospitals:

11/14/22 Divisions are partnered with St Joseph's Health Centre.

12/13/23/31 Divisions are partnered with Humber River Regional Hospital.

32/33 Divisions are partnered with Humber North York General Hospital.

41/42/43 Divisions are partnered with The Scarborough Hospital.

51/52 Divisions are partnered with St. Michael's Hospital.

54/55 Divisions are partnered with Toronto East General Hospital.

For Divisional maps and boundaries, click here.

Sometimes police services may not have sufficient information in order to proceed with the application, therefore a submission of fingerprints is required.

• This is confirmation of identity, and mandated by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
• It also ensures that the information supplied is accurate and does not apply to anyone else.
• Vulnerable Sector Screening Process

TPS does not provide fingerprinting for civil purposes.
Private RCMP-accredited agencies are listed in your local telephone book, or online under fingerprinting services.

Yes, they must provide the same information that you are required to provide when you make a request. In addition, a signed authorization letter that directs the Toronto Police Service to release that record to an authorized party must also be provided.

For personal requests: 
    Motor Vehicle Collision Reports – 5-10 business days 
    Confirmation letters/Occurrence report summary – 5-10 business days 
    Lost/stolen Passports – Faxed every Thursday after receipt. 

For company requests: 
    Motor Vehicle Collision Reports – 4-6 weeks 
    Confirmation letters/Occurrence report summary – 4-6 weeks 
    Due to the high volume of Insurance Company and Law Firm requests.

* Processing times may fluctuate due to volume and time of year.

If the normal processing time has elapsed, you may call our office to initiate a follow-up on your request. 
Please call 416-808-8240 and press 0 for assistance. 
Office hours are 0800-1600 Hours.

No. Requests must be submitted in person or by mail.

Yes. However, the applicant will be advised before any contact is made with the current police service. This usually takes place at the end of the process.

A successful applicant will receive a credit of 80 hours of lieu time (equivalent of two weeks leave). This is non-cashable and has to be used within the first year of employment.

Lateral Entry applicants are considered new hires. There is no consideration given to previous service with other police agencies.

Benefits such as dental and medical commence on date of hire.

The Toronto Police Service is a member of the OMERS pension plan. It is the responsibility of the applicant to contact OMERS regarding the transfer of an existing pension.

Up to and including first class constable, applicants will be accepted at their current rank. Sergeants and above, the incoming rank will be dependent on the needs and requirements of the Service at time of hire. Contact Toronto Police Service Benefits and Employment Unit for details.

Lateral Entry/Rehire applicants are considered new hires. Previous service does not count towards the calculation of service/retention pay.

Lateral Entry: 7 weeks at the Toronto Police College or as deemed necessary by The Toronto Police College. 
Rehire applicants: Contact The Toronto Police Service Benefits and Employment Unit for details.

No. There is no requirement to have an OACP certificate in order to apply to the Auxiliary program.

Auxiliary Officers promote community-based policing and are part of a very dedicated and committed team of volunteers who are trained both in the theoretical and practical applications of policing. They work alongside uniformed officers and assist the community and service with community mobilization initiatives, crime prevention programs, special events, parades, searches for missing persons and emergency call-outs.

The basic requirements are for becoming an Auxiliary Officer are:

• be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada

• be a minimum of 18 years of age

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (Grade 12) or official transcript of High School marks Or if schooled outside Ontario, an educational equivalency, which has been completed by the Ministry of Education (Please refer to the applicant resource listing)

• possess Standard First Aid and Level ‘C’ CPR certificates

• not have been convicted of a criminal offence for which a pardon has not been granted

• be a fully licensed driver and meet all the requirements of the Graduated Licensing System in Ontario, having accumulated no more than 6 demerit points

• meet the vision standards which include, colour, peripheral and depth perception requirements, have uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40 and best corrected acuity of 20/30 with both eyes open (binocularly)

• be physically able to perform the duties of the position, with regard to personal safety and the safety of the public

• be of good moral character and habits

• due to the amount of time required in the selection and training process we ask all members to stay for a minimum of one year

Candidates are also expected to:

• volunteer a minimum of 150 hours per year

• reside in the Greater Toronto Area (Durham, Peel and York Regions or Toronto)

• complete all ongoing training as required

NOTE: applicants who do not meet all of the above requirements will not be considered for this volunteer position.

On a daily basis, an Auxiliary member may be asked to assist the Service members with any of the following duties:

• community response initiatives
• canvassing and searching with respect to evidence or missing persons
• maintenance of police perimeters
• registration and or identification of community property, i.e. bicycles
• community functions and events such as Police Week, parades, fairs, etc.
• community safety audits and other crime prevention programs
• serving on Community Police Liaison Committees
• assistance with the operation of the Toronto Police Information booths, Community Police Offices and Collision Reporting Centres
   

Some of the benefits of becoming an Auxiliary Officer are:

• the Toronto Police Service provides each Auxiliary member with a uniform, equipment and training
• the Auxiliary member is afforded an opportunity to develop an understanding of the Police function within the community
• experience gained as an Auxiliary volunteer will give experience to assess whether a career in the Service as a police officer or civilian member is a good fit
• an Auxiliary member, while on duty, is covered by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board satisfaction in knowing that a member has made a personal contribution to the well-being of his/her community

There is no requirement by the Toronto Police Service for a candidate to attend any Police Foundations or Law and Security program. The only requirement in regards to education is that a candidate possess’ a minimum grade 12 diploma or equivalent certificate.

In accordance with the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, Private investigators and Security Guards Act, Bill 159, (2004), a person holding a Private Investigators licence will not be an eligible candidate for the Toronto Police Service Auxiliary Program.

A person currently licensed as a security guard may make application to the Auxiliary Program if it is determined that they do not directly or indirectly participate in any investigative capacity. Notwithstanding, a complete background investigation will be conducted to determine if a conflict of interest may exist.

As per the minimum requirement, if an individual has been convicted of a criminal offence (in any country), they must first obtain a pardon prior to applying. Furthermore, if the individual has had a 'Findings of Guilt' which has resulted in absolute or conditional discharge, their records must be 'sealed' by the RCMP, prior to applying.

Applications will be valid for a period of one year from the date they are submitted to the Talent Acquisition Unit. If you have not been contacted within one year from the date you submitted your application, a new application, with current certifications is required.

Only those applicants assessed best able to meet the organizational needs of the service will be selected for an interview.

There is no specific time period. All applicants are reminded that when applying, it is for the position of Auxiliary Officer and not a particular recruiting class.

Yes. Once hired, all Auxiliary officers will undergo a six-week training program which will include theoretical, procedural and self-defence training.

Community/special events are generally held on weekends and evenings. As a result, Auxiliary Officers will also typically work on evenings and weekends. Your hours will also vary depending on the event.

The Toronto Police Operating budget has had a 0% increase over the last 2 years (i.e., the budget has been the same since 2017). If we remove the Collective Agreement mandated increase for Toronto Police Service employees, also known as COLA, the Toronto Police Service Budget has decreased by approximately 6% over the last 3 years.

It is important to note that the crime statistics only show reported crimes and there are a number of crimes that occur that do not get reported. The Operating Budget pays for the efforts of the police to not only act when a crime takes place, but also to prevent crime from happening.

We are currently in the beginning stages of the 2019 Budget Process. There will be opportunities to voice your concerns at the upcoming review sessions. Unfortunately, it is too early in the process for the release of those dates.

There is a mandatory $5.00* application fee that must be paid when submitting an Access Request. Additional fees may be charged under section 45 of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Privacy Protection Act for photocopying and severing the records. 

*The $5.00 application fee cannot be waived and is non-refundable.

We accept personal or certified cheques and money orders which should be made payable to the "Toronto Police Service". If submitting your request in person, you may also pay by Debit, Visa or Mastercard.

Under MFIPPA, we have to respond to your request within 30 calendar days; we may extend that time if the request is particularly complex or involves a large number of records. Requesters will be advised of a time extension. 

The Access & Privacy Section receives a significant number of requests daily and we endeavour to complete them as expeditiously as possible. Your patience is appreciated.

Failing to detail exactly what you are requesting, or failing to include the required application fee or authorization/consent form will delay your request. 

Records may not be released if the investigation is open and ongoing. If the record you request contains sensitive law enforcement information that would harm a law enforcement matter if released, we do not provide that part of the requested record. 

If the matter is proceeding before the court, disclosure no longer falls under MFIPPA and records will not be released.

No. Once your records are ready, pending any other fees owing, we will mail your records or you have the option to pick them up at Toronto Police Service Headquarters.

It is suggested an agent, such as a law firm or insurance company, submits a letter detailing complete incident details, clients name and provide accompanying authorizations.

No. Currently, only Deaf, Deafened, Hard of Hearing or Speech impaired (DHHSI) persons may register for this service.

To be eligible, DHHSI persons must have a compatible cell phone and must register with their wireless service provider. Without registration, there is no access to T9-1-1 services. For a list of cellphones that meet T9-1-1 requirements refer to your wireless service provider's website.

When a DHHSI person requires 9-1-1 services, they must dial 9-1-1 on their cell phone to establish direct contact with the 9-1-1 call centre. They do not need to speak. Because of the registration process, the calltaker will receive an indicator with every T9-1-1 call to let them know that they must respond to the caller by text message. Until the caller receives that first text message from 9-1-1, they are not able to text with a calltaker.

T9-1-1 is considered a “best efforts” service due to technology limitations associated with text messaging. This means like with any text message, that there is no guarantee a text message will be sent, delivered or received in a timely manner. In some instances, it may take longer than one minute to receive the initial text message.

The T9-1-1 service should only be used for emergency situations. The more specific you are when answering the questions from the call taker, the more quickly help can be sent. Text the following information: the location where help is needed, the service (police, ambulance or fire department) required, and the reason (what is wrong) that you need help with. The call taker will ask for more details based on these answers. Be sure to answer all questions as best as you can.

Yes. Providing location information and the nature of the emergency in the first message is important. The 9-1-1 call taker may receive an approximate GPS location of your cell phone with your 9-1-1 call, but is not a guaranteed accurate location. It is important that the caller confirms the exact location of the emergency to avoid unnecessary delays.

T9-1-1 will be made available across the country as Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPS or 9-1-1 Centre) make the appropriate network upgrades. The service availability section of the TEXT with 9-1-1 website located at www.textwith911.ca is updated regularly and is the best source of current information as to where in Canada T9-1-1 services are available.

Anyone registered for T9-1-1 services in the city of Toronto can contact Toronto Police for non-emergency issues using the T9-1-1 service.

The change is intended to reduce police response to false alarms and result in the ability to redirect police resources in a more effective and efficient manner, providing an improved response to other calls for service. Year after year, the majority of alarm activations reported to the TPS have been identified as false (97%). This means, police officers are responding to calls for service where there is no requirement for a police response. The TPS is striving to provide the best possible service to all members of the community. Other agencies that have implemented verified response have seen a reduction in the number of calls for service related to alarm events. By reducing response to false alarm events, the call takers, dispatchers and police officers will be more available to provide response to other calls for service and core police duties and responsibilities.

A verified response means there is some form of verification that an unwanted intrusion has occurred. The TPS has defined verified response as: The requirement of validation that criminal activity is occurring/has taken place OR there is imminent threat to personal safety PRIOR to requesting a police response.  The verification requirement will apply to burglar alarm activations. It will NOT apply to panic alarm activations.

Many North American law enforcement agencies have successfully implemented a verified response protocol and have experienced a reduction in the number of false alarm events responded to.

Verified response was implemented on September 10, 2018. Confirmation was communicated to all registered monitoring stations and posted on our website.

Yes, the TPS will provide a response to alarm activations; however, a burglar alarm must be verified to confirm an unwanted intrusion prior to requesting a police response. Once the burglar alarm activation has been verified, the TPS will provide a response. The TPS will provide a response to panic alarm activations and a verification process will not be required.

A burglar alarm may be verified using one or more of the following methods: • Audio device; • Video device; • Multiple zone activations; or • An eye witness (i.e. private security or person at scene).

A burglar alarm activation includes, but is not limited to, alarm distinctions described as burglar, motion, door, window, glass break, etcetera.

A panic alarm activation includes, but is not limited to; alarm distinctions described as panic, hold-up, duress, emergency button, etcetera.

An increase in the false alarm fee has not seen a significant reduction in the number of alarms reported and identified to be false. In 2010, the false alarm fee was increased to $130 from $83.50. The number of alarm events reported to the TPS have remained over 23,000 and 97% have been identified as false.

Owning and operating an alarm system involves a private contract with a private and for-profit business that is providing a private service. The TPS recommends that alarm clients contact the alarm dealer and/or monitoring station to discuss current alarm system set-up, alarm settings and response options.

Racism means the ideas, beliefs, or practices that maintain or perpetuate the superiority or dominance of one racial group over another. Racism is different from prejudice in that it is tied to the social, political, economic, and institutional power that is held by the dominant group in society.

Systemic Racism occurs when institutions or systems create or maintain inequity often as a result of hidden institutional biases in policies, practices and procedures that privilege some groups and disadvantage others. It can take many forms including singling out members of Indigenous, Black and other racialized groups for greater scrutiny or different treatment.

Officer’s Perception means the individual officer’s perception about another individual’s race, based on observations.

Self-Identification means the information that is derived from an individual providing their race in response to being asked this information by a Service member, unless it is impractical to do so.

The TPS has engaged in its own public information campaign. Since October, consultation sessions have been held with each Community Consultative Committee and a group of CPLC representatives. Focus groups have been held with more than 20 community organizations and four public Town Hall Meetings are scheduled to take place before the end of year. A webpage – www.tps.on.ca/race-based-data has also been created.

The Service’s Equity, Inclusion and Human Rights Team has a group of Subject Matter Experts who have been hired to facilitate the implementation of this initiative, including the development of our training curriculum. This training will consist of online and classroom components that will not only provide technical support but will complement the Service’s past efforts to provide our members with fair and impartial policing.

The data collected will be anonymized and eventually available on the Service’s Open Data Portal, available to the media and public. The portal contains current and historical calls for service and occurrence data, arrest data, and other key public safety data sets. Through this portal and open data initiative, the Service is committing to greater openness and transparency.

Yes, in addition to regular public reporting, the data will be made available to the public through the Service’s Open Data Portal by 2021.

Like any document created by the TPS, defense counsel could seek the records disclosed as part of a trial and, if the judge determined it was relevant to the case, the records would be released.

We cannot change what we do not measure. The data will be used to identify and to monitor, potential systemic racism within the Toronto Police Service. Through our analysis, we will be able to put action plans in place to address any gaps.

An independent third-party assessor will be engaged to validate the process. Can individuals ask to be self-identified during this first phase? The first phase of the program is meant to measure perceptions and our own interactions.

Yes, the data we collect will be anonymized and stripped of identifiers. It will be impossible for the data to be connected to a specific individual.

Street checks are an investigative tool while race-based date collection is used to measure systemic trends.

Body-worn cameras provide an unbiased, independent account of police/community interactions. They are an investment in the Toronto Police Service’s commitment to delivering accountable and transparent policing services. Whether they are used to legitimize an engagement between an officer and a member of the public, provide evidence in court, or offer an unbiased alternative to allegations of misconduct, every frontline police officer will be equipped with a body-worn camera.‬‬‬‬‬‬

Implementation began in August 2020 following approval from the Police Services Board. As of January 2021, 607 frontline officers have been using the cameras during their interactions with the public. We anticipate implementation across all divisions will be complete by October 2021.

A police officer will turn on the body-worn camera prior to arriving at a call for service; when they start investigating an individual; or when they are asking a person questions for the purpose of collecting their information. A police officer will turn off the body-worn camera when the call for service or investigation is complete or when the officer determines that continuous recording is no longer serving its intended purpose.

All officers will have the body worn camera in plain view, and the camera has lights and notices indicating it has been activated. Officers are trained to give notice as soon as reasonably possible that a body worn camera is in operation. The timing of this notice may vary depending on the context of the encounter.

The only time a request to turn off a body-worn camera will be actioned is when a police officer has been given permission to enter a private home and the person granting permission has made the request. This can happen before the officer enters the private home or at any time during the officer’s presence in the private home.

Axon Canada is providing a complete solution that includes hardware, software, storage, training, and ongoing support for the Program. The total cost is $34 million for five years, including an option for an additional year.

The officers will undergo training online and at the Toronto Police College. This training covers both the theory behind body-worn cameras in addition to technical training about how to operate the cameras.

Yes, a procedure has been approved and it provides officers with operational direction that includes but is not limited to recording in private and public places; retention and security of videos; and responsibilities for supervisors and Unit Commanders.

Like any other allegation of misconduct, complaints can be made to the Office of the Independent Police Review Director. Once investigated, officers may face any number of disciplinary actions, up to and including dismissal.

We know that only proper use of body-worn cameras will enhance public trust and legitimacy while improper use will have the opposite, detrimental effect on police/community relations. As a result, any officer found to be in non-compliance with the procedure will face a minimum penalty of eight hours lost pay. This penalty increase to a minimum of 16 hours of lost pay for supervisors who are found to be in non-compliance.

In response to the Police Services Board’s recommendations on police reform, along with our ongoing commitment to transparency, we held public consultations on our BWC procedure and decided to make it available to the public. By doing so we hope to foster public trust around the use of BWCs. These cameras are valuable tools that support and reinforce our commitment to delivering accountable and transparent police services.

The Service participated in a comprehensive procurement process, which included written proposals; environmental testing; field evaluations and demonstrations. The process was overseen by a Fairness Commissioner.

The body-worn camera data will be stored for a minimum of one year unless there is a reason to retain it longer, such as for court purposes or an ongoing investigation. If kept for this purpose, the retention period is governed by City of Toronto by-laws and other legal requirements.

The body-worn camera data will be stored in a Canadian-based cloud system. This means data stored in the cloud will remain in Canada. As part of the procurement process, a Privacy Impact Assessment was completed by the Toronto Police Service and shared with the Information & Privacy Commissioner.

At the end of every shift, a police officer will take their body-worn camera and dock it at one of the porting stations in their unit/division. Once docked, the data will automatically be uploaded to the cloud.

Recorded data cannot be altered or deleted at any time. It can be viewed in real-time by the recording officer on their Connected Officer device. It can also be viewed by the officer and their supervisor once it has been uploaded to the cloud.

Only the staff at Video Services will be permitted to edit/vet the body-worn camera data, as per Service procedures covering video recordings. The original, unedited version will always be available.

All body-worn camera data will be considered as part of the standard process for disclosure as dictated by R v Stinchcombe, meaning body-worn camera data will be part of the full and fair disclosure the Crown Attorney is obligated to provide to defense.

An officer will make their notes in compliance with standard operating procedures. If, after reviewing the video, an addition to the notes is needed, an addendum can be done that includes a reference to the review of body-worn camera footage.

The battery in a body-worn camera will last an entire 12-hour shift.

Yes, the technology does have transcription capabilities.

If you have an emergency – an immediate threat to life or property – please call 911. Non-emergencies can be reported by calling ‪416-808-2222.

Many incidents can be reported using our Online Reporting System, such as Damage to Vehicle or Property under $5,000, Driving or Parking Complaints, Traffic Issues or Concerns, Graffiti, or Theft or Fraud Under $5,000.

Yes, all Toronto Police Service facilities, including Headquarters, are open to the public, however members of the public are encouraged to continue using our Online Reporting System when possible.

If you have a specific issue you would like to discuss, it is recommended you schedule a time with the appropriate member. You can call the front desk of any division to make these arrangements.

 The phone number for each division follows the same format, with the last four digits being the number of division, followed by two zeroes.  As an example, the main number for 14 Division is 416-808-1400, the main number for 43 Division is 416-808-4300, etc.

The Records Release Section (Information Access Unit) located at Headquarters will be providing in person service on an appointment basis. To book an appointment please visit Background Checks

Please note Vulnerable Sector Checks will still have to be mailed in to: Information Access Unit (Records Release), Toronto Police Service, 40 College Street,  Toronto, ON M5G 2J3 as appointments are not available for this service.

Alternatively, these checks (and required payment) may be hand-delivered to the HQ Drop Box, Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  

The Access and Privacy Section (APS) is processing all mail-in applications under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Members the public can also attend Headquarters to submit applications. Any questions regarding the process and/or requests can be sent to Access Privacy Section.

The Property Unit, is open by appointment only, please call 416-808-3750 or email [email protected] to book an appointment.

Collision Reporting Centres will be open Monday - Friday – 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, please visit their website at www.accsupport.com.

Racism means the ideas, beliefs, or practices that maintain or perpetuate the superiority or dominance of one racial group over another. Racism is different from prejudice in that it is tied to the social, political, economic, and institutional power that is held by the dominant group in society.

Systemic Racism occurs when institutions or systems create or maintain inequity often as a result of hidden institutional biases in policies, practices and procedures that privilege some groups and disadvantage others. It can take many forms including singling out members of Indigenous, Black and other racialized groups for greater scrutiny or different treatment.

Officer’s Perception means the individual officer’s perception about another individual’s race, based on observations.

Self-Identification means the information that is derived from an individual providing their race in response to being asked this information by a Service member, unless it is impractical to do so.

No. Expedited Vulnerable Sector Checks have been suspended until further notice.

Yes. The Police Reference Check Program will continue to receive applications submitted through the mail. Please review the requirements carefully to ensure there are no processing delays because of incomplete information.

Individuals do not apply directly to the Toronto Police Service for a Vulnerable Sector Check. Requests must be completed through organizations that are registered with our Police Reference Check Program.

The registered agency will provide you with the application form. The form is on legal-sized paper and must be signed by the agency's contact person.

No, do not attend 40 College Street to pay for your Vulnerable Sector Check.

Your Vulnerable Sector Screening request (with payment of a Certified Cheque or Money Order) should be mailed to

Toronto Police Service Headquarters,
40 College Street,
Toronto, ON, M5G 2J3,
Attn: Records Release (Information Access).

Alternatively, you may hand-deliver your completed Vulnerable Sector Screening application (and required payment) to the HQ Drop Box, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding statutory holidays.

Toronto is the largest jurisdiction in Canada; therefore we experience a higher volume of applications. Processing times may fluctuate due to volume and time of year. 

Vulnerable Sector Check: 
· 2 weeks from the date received for individuals who are not on file with any Federal, Provincial or Local Database. For an update on a Check, call the Status Line at 416-808-8253 

For Vulnerable Sector Check applications - Certified cheque or money order made payable to Toronto Police Service.

If your application has surpassed our normal processing time frame, you can contact the Police Reference Check Program to follow up at 416-808-8244. Phones answered live only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 8:00am to 4:00pm, excluding statutory holidays.

It is up to the accepting agency when a police background check, including a Vulnerable Sector Check will be accepted.

All levels of police background checks, including Vulnerable Sector Checks, represent  a clear criminal record on the day it has been performed.

• A criminal record can change after a search of records has been completed and the result of the check has been issued.
• At their discretion, an agency may determine that they are willing to accept a recent background check.
• There is no renewal process - each request is considered as new, whether or not the applicant has applied previously.

Yes, this document can be produced in French upon request.
Oui, ce document peut être produit en Français sur demande.

• If applying online please indicate you wish to have the document issued in French by making a note in the ‘Reason for Request’ field.
  Si vous postulez en ligne, veuillez indiquer que vous désirez que le document soit émis en Français dans le champ « Reason for Request ».
   
• If applying in person, please advise a clerk at the Records Request Counter that you wish to have the letter issued in French.
  Si vous présentez une demande en personne, veuillez aviser au commis du comptoir des demandes de documents que vous désirez que la lettre soit émise en Français.

No. Level 1 and Level 2 background checks can be applied for online. Alternatively, you may schedule an appointment through our booking app.

Vulnerable Sector Checks can either be mailed or dropped off in the Drop Box at:

• Toronto Police Headquarters
  Information Access
  40 College Street
  Toronto, ON
  M5G 2J3

Appointments will not be available for Vulnerable Sector Checks.

Applications can be made online or in person at TPS Headquarters – 40 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2J3.

You will need to bring two government issued pieces of identification; one must have your photo.

No. As of November 1, 2018, in response to the Police Record Checks Reform Act, the Toronto Police Service no longer collects fees for those under 18 requiring a regular check using our regular service.

Please see our up-to-date processing timelines for information on when you can expect to receive your completed record check results.

The processing time is the same regardless of the application method.

A non-conviction would not be disclosed on a Criminal Record Check. However, an additional step of identity verification may be required. Please see Fingerprint Requirements section.

It is up to the accepting agency when a police background check, including a Vulnerable Sector Check will be accepted.

All levels of police background checks, including Vulnerable Sector Checks, represent  a clear criminal record on the day it has been performed.

• A criminal record can change after a search of records has been completed and the result of the check has been issued.
• At their discretion, an agency may determine that they are willing to accept a recent background check.
• There is no renewal process - each request is considered as new, whether or not the applicant has applied previously.

For a Criminal Record Check, the Toronto Police Service can conduct the check wherever you live. The Criminal Record Check is a Canada-wide search that can be obtained by any policing agency (Peel, York, Durham, etc.).

In the case of a Vulnerable Sector Check, it must be requested from the policing jurisdiction where you live.

You can apply for a Criminal Record Check by mail, indicating your name, date of birth, and full mailing address. Include two original notarized copies of your identification, and payment in the form of a certified cheque or money order in Canadian funds.

An authorized party can also apply on your behalf, and must provide two original notarized copies of your identification and an authorization letter. Further details are available from our Crinminal Record Check – Residents outside of Canada section.

Yes, this document can be produced in French upon request.
Oui, ce document peut être produit en Français sur demande.

• If applying online please indicate you wish to have the document issued in French by making a note in the ‘Reason for Request’ field.
  Si vous postulez en ligne, veuillez indiquer que vous désirez que le document soit émis en Français dans le champ « Reason for Request ».
   
• If applying in person, please advise a clerk at the Records Request Counter that you wish to have the letter issued in French.
  Si vous présentez une demande en personne, veuillez aviser au commis du comptoir des demandes de documents que vous désirez que la lettre soit émise en Français.

No. Level 1 and Level 2 background checks can be applied for online. Alternatively, you may schedule an appointment through our booking app.

Vulnerable Sector Checks can either be mailed or dropped off in the Drop Box at:

• Toronto Police Headquarters
  Information Access
  40 College Street
  Toronto, ON
  M5G 2J3

Appointments will not be available for Vulnerable Sector Checks.

• Traffic and or pedestrian control for various events, including films
• Security services for licensed establishments or other organizations
• Escort services for oversized loads

• On behalf of an employer or union in relation to a labour dispute
• At a function likely to promote a confrontation between participating groups including, but not limited to, annual general meetings, termination of employees by an employer, protests and get belongings
• Events for political parties or politicians
• As a bodyguard service
• The escort of money or valuables

If you require police assistance at one of these prohibited functions, please contact your local Division.

Please see our Rates page and the Terms of Agreement (printable document for your records only).

A spreadsheet calculator is also provided on the main Paid Duty webpage to help provide customers with an estimated cost of a request.

NOTE: Customers are responsible for making payment for all Paid Duty requests as soon as possible to expedite the process.

We ask that you provide all known details of the work and a description of the expected functions of the officers. This information is necessary for us to determine the urgency, and prioritize your request.

NOTE: Please make sure that all contact information is accurate and updated and that all permits are provided with the request.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your TPS account, please contact Accounting Services at [email protected].

No.  The Paid Duty Office makes best efforts to fill all approved paid duty requests, but there are no guarantees.

Once your request has been processed you will get an automatic e-mail notification that includes an ID number(s). This assigned ID number is specific to each paid duty request (separate dates will have separate ID numbers, as well, different ranks of officers will be separated and will each have their own ID number)

Our system is set up to notify the customer via email whenever there is a change in status.

Due to the volume of requests received, CPDO will only contact you directly if there is an issue with your request.

NOTE: Only persons listed on the account/request can be provided information with regards to updates/changes/revisions.

The emails you will receive are as follows:

WaitingARApproval: we have entered your request on our system and you need to make payment and or accounting needs to verify that you have enough funds on your account to cover the cost.

Posted: funds have been received/verified and your request has been posted on our board for officers to apply for

Awarded: an available officer has been awarded your request

Void: if you cancel your paid duty with more than 24 hours' notice (as set out in the Terms of Agreement) CPDO will void the Paid Duty. You will receive an email stating such and no fees will be owed.

Void: if your Paid Duty cannot be filled, CPDO will void the Paid Duty. You will receive an email stating such and no fees will be owed.

Cancelled:  If you cancel your request with less than 24 hours' notice (during CPDO business hours) you will be charged for a (3) hour minimum charge** including all applicable fees and taxes for each Officer(s) and equipment assigned the Paid Duty.

If you wish to cancel your Paid Duty, please e-mail [email protected] with the Paid Duty ID number provided to you. If no Paid Duty ID number is received, the Central Paid Duty Office will not action your request and you may incur unwanted costs. Please be advised that if you send a cancellation outside of business hours, it will not be processed until the start of the following business day.

When you send written notice cancelling a Paid Duty with less than 24 hours' notice (during CPDO business hours) prior to the start of the Paid Duty, you will receive an email stating your Paid Duty has been cancelled and you will owe a 3 hour minimum charge for the Officers on the Paid Duty plus applicable fees and taxes as set out in the Terms of Agreement. 

If you cancel your paid duty with more than 24 hours' notice (as set out in the Terms of Agreement) or your Paid Duty cannot be filled, CPDO will contact you and then proceed to void the Paid Duty. You will receive an email stating that your Paid Duty has been void with no fees owing.

As of March 15, 2014 all customers must make the full payment at least 10 business days prior to the Paid Duty.

Paid duty officers shall not be paid directly. All paid duty payments shall be made payable to: Toronto Police Service and mailed to: Accounts Receivable, Toronto Police Service, 40 College Street, 10th floor, Toronto, ON M5G 2J3.

We accept the following payment methods:

• Certified Cheque payable to the Toronto Police Service,
• Money Order,
• Visa and MasterCard up to $10,000 per transaction.

For more information, please refer to the Payment section of the Terms of Agreement.

Please direct any inquiries to: [email protected]

If you wish to revise your Paid Duty Request, please send an e-mail to [email protected] with MORE than 24 HOURS NOTICE within our business hours and include the ID number(s)

Failure to provide proper notice with leave you with two options:

1. Leave the paid duty in status quo, or,

2. Cancelling the paid duty (incurring a 3 hour minimum charge**) and requiring you to resubmit a new paid duty request at the risk of not being able to fill it. *
* including all applicable fees and taxes

If you wish to revise the date, you will need to provide the following:

1. Send an cancellation email providing the ID# to: [email protected]ps.ca
2. Submit a new paid duty request form with the new date

Customer feedback is very important to us. The Central Paid Duty Office is always open and willing to hear your comments regarding the service provided during the Paid Duty. Please do not hesitate to email [email protected], and we will follow-up with you at the earliest opportunity.

To make an online payment, go to pay.tps.ca.
For further assistance, please refer to “How To Pay Online” document. It may take 1 to 3 business days for a payment to be posted to your account.

Once your payment transaction is processed, a payment receipt will be send directly to your email address that you have provided. It is important that all information entered in the payment application is accurate and free of any errors.

Your credit card information is kept in digital form and securely stored using Moneris vault, provided by Moneris Solutions, Inc., a trusted provider of card transaction services. No credit card information is stored in any of Toronto Police Service servers.

Any short payment is due immediately, payment of which is automatically processed. Per Consent Agreement, you agree to authorize Toronto Police Service to process automatically the required additional charges (the difference between estimated and actual cost) using the same Credit Card. You will also receive a payment receipt via email for your file.

Email your request for refund to [email protected] The refund will be credited back to the same credit card used in the original transaction.
Alternatively, you may leave your credit balance (if you wish) for future paid duty requests.

These are other payment methods:

• Certified Cheque or Money Order
  The money order or certified cheque should be made payable to Toronto Police Service and sent to Toronto Police Service, Accounts Receivable, 40 College Street, 10^th floor, Toronto, ON M5G 2J3.
  It should be received at least 10 business days prior to paid duty event.


• Electronic Funds Transfer / Direct Deposit
  Please email a blank EFT/Direct Deposit form to [email protected].

Rather than paying for each paid duty request, several options may be more suited for your needs such as security deposit or drawing from lump sum deposit.
To find out what payment solution works for your business needs, email [email protected].

HST #86740 2299 RT0001 (under City of Toronto)