- York Regional Police
Infobox Canadian Police Service
name = York Regional Police
motto = Deeds Speak
established = 1971
headquarters = 17250 Yonge StreetNewmarket, Ontario
divisions = 5
chief =Armand P. La Barge
sworn = 1651
civilian =
website = [http://www.yrp.ca www.yrp.ca]York Regional Police serves over 930,000 residents in the York Region,
Ontario ,Canada , located north ofToronto . The YRP was formed in1971 from the amalgamation of local forces and the local governments of Markham, Richmond Hill, Aurora, Newmarket, Vaughan, etc...History
York Regional Police was formed in 1971 when province began creating regional forces to replace the large number of local forces across the province. The York force involved the merger of several local police forces in what was then
York County :* King Township Police (1800s)
* Vaughan Township Police (1937)
* Whitchurch Township Police
* Markham Police Department
* North Gwillimbury Township Police
* Georgina Township Police
* York County Police
* Richmond Hill Township Police
* Newmarket Township Police
* Aurora Township Police
* Stouffville Township PoliceCommand
YRP is headed by the Chief of Police and other command officers or Deputy Chiefs.
The head of the force is Chief
Armand P. La Barge , who replaced Robert Middaugh, who replacedJulian Fantino after Fantino left to lead theToronto Police Service . The administration and senior command of the force operates from the YRP Headquarters inNewmarket, Ontario .A list of Chiefs of the York Regional police force since its creation in 1971:
*
Bruce Crawford 1971-1987
*Donald Hillock 1987-1992
*Bryan Cousineau 1992-1997
*Peter Scott 1997-1998
*Julian Fantino 1998-2000
*Robert Middaugh 2000-December 12, 2002
*Armand P. La Barge December 12, 2002-presentThe Special Investigations Unit
The actions of the York Regional Police are examined by the
Special Investigations Unit , 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. They assure that the criminal law is applied appropriately to police conduct, as determined through independent investigations, increasing public confidence in the police services. 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.Operations
YRP Operations are composed of:
* Administrative Services
* Information Services
* Investigative Services
* Support Services
* Community Services
* Court ServicesYork Region Police is divided into five geographical districts:
* 1 District - serving
Newmarket, Ontario (northwest York Region)
* 2 District - servingRichmond Hill, Ontario (south central York Region)
* 3 District - servingGeorgina, Ontario , andLake Simcoe (northeast York Region)
* 4 District - servingVaughan, Ontario (southwest York Region)
* 5 District - servingMarkham, Ontario (southeast York Region)Workforce
The force currently has the manpower of 1,651 uniform officers and civilian staff. As well, the York Regional Police is only one of two forces in the GTA with an active air support unit (Durham is the other Police force with one). While the Toronto Police Service does not have an air unit, York's air unit serves their area under a mutual support agreement.
Fleet
Uniform
Front line officers wear black shirts, cargo pants (with red stripe) and boots. Winter jackets are either black or reflective orange/yellow with the word POLICE in white and blue at the back.
Hats can be ball caps, standard forge cap, Yukon hat for winter. Motorcycle units have white helmets. Black or reflective gloves are also provided to officers directing traffic.
Senior officers wear white shirts and a black dress jacket.
Marked cruisers are label with the motto Deeds Speak.
Ranks
The rank insignia of York Regional Police is similar to that used by police services elsewhere in Canada and in the United Kingdom, except that the usual "pips" are replaced by maple leaves.
Police Senior Officers
The day-to-day and regional operations are commanded by senior officers:
*Superintendent
*InspectorUniform Non-Commissioned Officers
The on the road enforcement and emergency response is supervised by:
*Staff Sergeant
*SergeantInvestigative Non-Commissioned Officers
Investigations are divided into crimes against persons and crimes against property. These investigations are conducted by:
*Detective Sergeant
*Detective
*Detective ConstablePolice Officers
*
Constable - first class,second class ,third class ,fourth class
*Auxiliary Constables Unsworn Members
*
Cadet
*Special Constable (Court Security)
*Station Duty Officers
* Police Communicators
* Auxiliary Police Officers (approx. 120 members circa. August 2007; auxiliary officers are sworn-in officers, however, they have powers of peace officer which executing course of Police Duties and/or on dutyCommunications
Communications is the branch of the York Regional Police responsible for receiving all 911 and non-emergency police calls. Under the supervision of Information Services, Police Communicators are on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The communications center is located within police headquarters in Newmarket, Ontario. Staff currently work 12 hour shifts, with four days on, followed by four days off. The communications staff are non-sworn members of the York Regional police, however, the bureau is under the direction of an Inspector and a Staff Sergeant.
Weapons
Emergency Response Unit
The E.R.U. (Emergency Response Unit)is the YRP
SWAT team formed in 1980. The ERU is a group of specialized operators. The Units primary mandate is to deal with high risk situations beyond the safe operating limits of Police Officers with their normal equipment and training. The ERU provides assistance during any high risk situations, by performing the following; i) Containmentii) Apprehension of an Armed and/or Barricaded Personsiii) Hostage Rescueiv) Explosive Forced Entryv) Explosive Disposalvi) High Risk Search Warrantsvii) High Risk Vehicles/Trains/Aircrafts AssaultsIn 1988 demand for the Emergency Response Unit was on the rise. Various operational obligations including the fatal shooting of an armed suspect during a hostage situation in Richmond Hill highlighted the need for additional members. In 1989 the Emergency Response increased to 11 members.
In 2001 the York Regional Police established a Shared Service Agreement with Durham Regional Police, which allows for reciprocal tactical support in the event of large scale or long duration deployments. York Regional Police provides Tactical Team and Hostage Rescue Team support to South Simcoe Police Service upon their request.
Following September 11th 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City, the increased awareness of terrorist threats provided the greatest single incentive for growth and investment of Tactical Teams in Ontario since the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, Quebec.
The Emergency Response Unit was expanded in 2002 to 20 full time Tactical Operators. This roster includes 6 Snipers and 6 Explosive Technicians.
The ERU has full Explosive Forced Entry capability which is mainly used in its Hostage Rescue and Armed/ Barricaded operations. The ERU is regularly involved in High Risk Search Warrant Service within York Region and the Greater Toronto Area as well as number of high profile Joint Forces Operations within the province Of Ontario.
The York Regional Police ERU conducts its own strenuous selection process mainly from the departments’ uniform divisions. The Unit also trains its own candidates in all required disciplines and is one of the founding members of the Ontario Tactical Advisory Body (OTAB). The unit also receives training from tier one tactical programs and facilities in the United States as well as SF military units.
Members of the Emergency Response Unit currently hold positions within OTAB (Ontario Tactical Advisory Board) and CETA (Canadian Explosive Technicians Association) as well as membership in the NTOA (National Tactical Officers Association) and IABTI. (International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators).
The ERU Explosive Disposal Unit (EDU) has number of operational robotics in its inventory, used in variety of high risk incidents including post blast investigations.
Emergency Services
York Regional Police is part of York Region's Emergency Services and works along side with:
*
York Region EMS
*Fire Services in York Region
*YRT/VIVA Special Constable Services External links
* [http://www.yrpa.on.ca/ York Regional Police Association]
* [http://www.yrp.ca York Regional Police]
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