University of Toronto Campus Community Police

The University of Toronto Campus Police Service was created in 1904 as the university's campus police force. Today, the University of Toronto Campus Police Service is responsible for the safety of over 80,000 students, faculty and staff, in addition to the thousands of visitors to the University each day.

The University of Toronto Campus Police Service is commanded by three Police managers assigned to each campus. Several platoons have been organized which consist of Staff Sergeants, Corporals and Constables. These platoons of officers provide policing services to the University around the clock, 365 days per year. Each platoon consists of specialized officers who are selected for the bike unit and officers who are specially trained in the collection of evidence from scenes of crime.

University of Toronto Campus Police Special Constables are sworn in through the Toronto Police and Peel Police Services Board after being approved by the Ontario Provincial Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services. Special Constables are appointed as Peace Officers under the Ontario Police Services Act. This appointment under the Act bestows full police authority on Campus Police as per the agreement with Toronto and Peel Police Services Boards. Campus Police possess powers of arrest, search and seizure. Campus Police provide specialized policing services tailored to the University Community they serve, which otherwise may not be provided by the jurisdictional police. Criminal/provincial offence occurrences which occur within the University community are investigated by the U of T Campus Police who prepare jurisdictional police reports which are then submitted to Toronto or Peel Police as per the Special Constable Service agreement. The public can view the Campus Police department's website and read the "Campus Police Activity Reports" section which outlines daily occurences. The U of T Campus Police Service prides itself with its "community policing" approach to crime prevention and public safety.

The Campus Police enforce the following statutes:

*Criminal Code

*Controlled Drugs and Substances Act

*Trespass to Property Act of Ontario

*Liquor Licence Act of Ontario

*Section 17 of the Mental Health Act of Ontario

*Selected municipal by-laws

In addition, Campus Police enforce the University of Toronto Student Code of Conduct.

Campus Police patrol in marked vehicles which are designed to be easily identifiable to the public. Officers also patrol on foot and on mountain bikes.

In addition to the uniform presence/primary response that the Campus Police provide, the CRU (Community Response Unit) works behind the scenes on an array of projects which include but are not limited to:

* Case Management (Criminal and Provincial offences)

* Property and Evidence Management

* VIP visits / Special Events

* Crime Prevention / CPTED auditing (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design)

* Intelligence, Investigations & Follow up

Several officers with the University of Toronto Campus Police are SOCOs (Scene of Crime Officers) who are designated to process crime scenes and collect evidence. Evidence that the Campus Police may collect is then forwarded to the Toronto Police Forensic Identification Services for further investigation and evaluation. Fingerprints recovered from crime scenes are entered into AFIS (Automated Fingerprint Identification System) and compared against fingerprints on file. DNA evidence is also collected and submitted.

The University of Toronto Campus Police place a major emphasis on Community Based Policing. Officers have implemented the following programs to address the needs of the community:

* Alcohol / Drug Safety Day

* Bicycle Anti-Theft Programs

* Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Rodeo

* Building Watch Program

* Business Crime Watch Program

* CPTED Auditing

* First-Year Orientation Program

* Lock It or Lose It Program

* Safety Awareness Week

* STOP Anti Theft Program

* Student Partnership Program

* Working Alone

* Youth Education and Safety Program (aimed at the University of Toronto high school students)

* LGBTQ / First Nations Liason

* Huron / Sussex Resident's Association (Faculty Housing) Liason

Broader community events that the University Of Toronto Police participate in are Cops For Cancer, the Law Enforcement Torch Run and food drive initiatives.

References

* [http://www.campuspolice.utoronto.ca University of Toronto Police Website]