Halton Regional Police Service

__NOEDITSECTION__Infobox Canadian Police Service
name = Halton Regional Police Service


motto = Progress through participation
established = 1974
headquarters = Oakville, ON
divisions = 3
chief = Gary Crowell
sworn = 531
civilian = 194
website = http://www.hrps.on.caThe Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) provides policing services for the Halton Region in Ontario, Canada which encompasses the City of Burlington and the Towns of Oakville, Milton and Halton Hills. It is made up of 563 police personnel and 224 civilians that provide policing services for a population of 467,200 in an area covering 967 square kilometers.

The Chief of Police is the highest ranking officer of the Halton Regional Police Service. The position currently belongs to Gary Crowell, who began his term on June 2, 2006 and was officially sworn in on June 19, 2006.

History

Halton Regional Police Service was established in tandem with the creation of the Regional Municipality of Halton on January 1, 1974. It incorporated the former police services of Burlington, Oakville, Milton and Halton Hills and first consisted of 205 officers and 45 civilians. The Ontario Provincial Police continued to police the remainder of the Region until 1975, when the Regional Force had expanded to the point where it could assume responsibility for the entire area.

Mission statement

To provide efficient and effective community-based policing.

Vision

To be recognized as the leader in innovation - partnering with our communities.

Values

Trust and Respect, Excellence, Integrity, Team Work, Accountability, Justice.

Motto

Progress Through Participation.

Command structure

The HRPS divides the region into five divisions (police stations) within three districts and one head office.

Headquarters

Commanded by Chief Gary Crowell overseeing the three districts
*1151 Bronte Road, Oakville

District 1

Commanded by Superintendent Signy Pittman, Inspector Bill Ford and Acting Inspector Carol Crowe
*10 Division - 38 Mill Street East, Acton
*11 Division - 217 Guelph Street, Georgetown
*12 Division - 490 Childs Drive, Milton

District 2

Commanded by Superintendent Bob Percy and Inspector Jackie Gordon
*20 Division - 1229 White Oaks Boulevard, Oakville

District 3

Commanded by Superintendent Keith Gregory and Inspector Marty Power
*30 Division - 3800 Southhampton Boulevard, Burlington

Units

*Auxiliary Policing Services Unit
*Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Unit (C.A.S.A.)
*Commercial Vehicle Unit
*Community Policing Support
*Court Bureau
*Crime Stoppers
*Domestic Review Unit
*Drug and Morality Bureau
*Education Services
*Explosives Disposal Unit
*Forensic Identification Unit
*Intelligence Bureau
*Labour Relations Unit
*Major Crime Bureau
*Marine Unit
*Police Dog Unit (K-9)
*Polygraph Unit
*Prisoner Escort Unit
*Public Affairs Unit
*Public Safety Unit
*Regional Traffic Bureau
*Summons Bureau
*Tactical Rescue Unit
*Technology and System Support
*Training Bureau

Community policing philosophy

HRPS is widely known as one of the first and also the most progressive community policing services in Canada with its strong emphasis on the community, with the idea for transformation of the organization being conceived in 1984. Community policing in the Halton region is a philosophy based on the concept that police officers and private citizens work together, in partnership, resulting in creative ways to solve contemporary community problems related to crime, fear of crime, social and physical order, and neighborhood decay. The term "police force" has been completely replaced by "police service" and all patrol cars now feature the words "Community Officer" with the local non-emergency phone number on both rear doors, instead of the traditional "Emergency 9-1-1" decal in an attempt to shift public perception towards police as a valuable asset in the community as opposed to traditional law enforcers.

pecial Investigations Unit

The actions of officers with the Halton Regional Police Service are overseen by the Special Investigations Unit (“SIU” or the “Unit”) of Ontario, Canada, a civilian agency responsible for investigating circumstances involving police and civilians that have resulted in a death, serious injury, or allegations of sexual assault. The SIU is dedicated to maintaining one law, ensuring equal justice before the law among both the police and the public. [ [http://www.cnw.ca/en/releases/archive/April2008/06/c3014.html CNW Telbec | SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT | SIU Investigating Incident in Brant County ] ] Their goal is to ensure that the criminal law is applied appropriately to police conduct, as determined through independent investigations, increasing public confidence in the police services. [Annual Report 2005/2006] Complaints involving police conduct that do not result in a serious injury or death must be referred to the appropriate police service or to another oversight agency, such as the Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services. [ [http://www.occps.ca Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services ] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.hrps.on.ca Halton Regional Police Service]