What is “adequate and effective” policing in Ontario?

A Police Service Board (PSB) is a civilian oversight body and local board of a municipality that governs the municipality’s police service through its authority from the Community Safety and Policing Act (CSPA) to ensure that adequate and effective police services are provided.

Adequate and effective policing means all of the following functions provided in accordance with the standards set out in the regulations, including the standards with respect to the avoidance of conflicts of interest, and with the requirements of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Human Rights Code:

1. Crime prevention.
2. Law enforcement.
3. Maintaining the public peace.
4. Emergency response.
5. Assistance to victims of crime.
6. Any other prescribed policing functions.

Section 11 of the Community Safety and Policing Act

Regulation 392/23: Adequate and Effective Policing under the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 outlines detailed standards and procedures required for:

• Crime prevention
• Law enforcement
• Maintaining the public peace
• Emergency response
• Assistance to victims of crime
• Additional police functions

As well as required units and equipment for those units.

Examples of disputes

If a municipal council refuses to approve the total budget requested by the Police Service Board, and the Board believes the approved amount is insufficient to provide “adequate and effective policing,” the Board may refer the matter to arbitration. The arbitrator’s decision is binding on both parties.