York Regional Police

York Regional Police
York Regional Police
Motto	Deeds Speak
Agency overview
Formed	1971
Operational structure
Headquarters	47 Don Hillock Drive, Aurora, Ontario
Sworn members	1562 (2015)
Unsworn members	618 (2015)
Elected officer responsible	Sylvia Jones, Solicitor General of Ontario;
Agency executive	James MacSween, chief of police;
Facilities
Districts	5
Website
	www.yrp.ca

The York Regional Police (YRP) are a law enforcement organization that serves over 1.1 million residents in the York Region of Ontario, Canada, located north of Toronto. YRP was formed in 1971 from the police forces maintained by the nine municipalities which amalgamated into York Region at the time.

While YRP provides marine policing in the waters on Lake Simcoe, policing for Georgina Island (as well as Fox and Snake islands) is provided by the Georgina Island Police with assistance from the Ontario Provincial Police. The islands have had separate policing under Ontario First Nation policing since 1978.^[2]

History[]

York Regional Police at a Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada fundraising event

The York Regional Police were formed in 1971, when the province forced the creation of a regional upper-tier municipal government that included the lower-tier municipalities of York County.^[3]

Prior to 1971, there were several police forces serving individual communities:

County of York Constabulary^[4]
King Township Police;
Vaughan Township Police - dates back to the establishment of Vaughan Township Municipal Police Department in 1924^[4]
Whitchurch Township Police
Markham Township Police - responsible for policing in the villages of Markham, Thornhill and Unionville
North Gwillimbury Township Police;
Georgina Township Police;
East Gwillimbury Township Police;
Town of Richmond Hill Police;
Town of Newmarket Police;
Town of Aurora Police;
Village of Stouffville Police;
Village of Sutton Police;
Village of Woodbridge Police

The YRP's motto, "Deeds Speak", is derived from the motto of the 3rd York Militia Regiment, many of whom also served as local constables in the Home District.^[3] The YRP crest is based on the crest from the former County of York government.

Command[]

The YRP's senior command consists of a chief of police and two deputy chiefs.

The head of the police service is Chief Jim MacSween who was sworn in as chief on May 1, 2020. He replaced retired Chief Eric Jolliffe, after he served almost 10 years in the position. The administration and senior command are based at York Regional Police Headquarters in Aurora, Ontario.

List of chiefs of the York Regional Police[]

A list of chiefs of the York Regional Police since its creation in 1971:

Bruce Allan Crawford 1971-1987, former Metropolitan Toronto Police officer, former Chief of the Toronto Harbour Commission Police
Donald Hillock 1987-1992, former Aurora Township Police officer
Bryan Cousineau 1992-1997, retired former Whitchurch Township officer; charged with breach of trust during his time as chief
Peter Scott 1997-1998, acting chief after the retirement of Bryan Cousineau
Julian Fantino 1998-2000, former senior Metro Toronto Police officer, chief of the London Police, later as Toronto Police chief, provincial commissioner of emergency management (assistant deputy minister) and former Commissioner of the OPP
Robert Middaugh 2000-December 12, 2002, 34-year career police officer; former deputy chief in Halton, chief in Hamilton-Wentworth
Armand P. La Barge December 12, 2002-December 2010, former York Regional Police Deputy Chief and career officer with the force
Eric Jolliffe December 13, 2010 – May 1, 2020
Jim MacSween May 1, 2020 – Present^[5]

Operations[]

York Regional Police vehicles at an incident

Operations are composed of:

Administrative services
Information services
Investigative services
Support services
Community services
Court services
Emergency support (ERU and EDU)

Operating districts[]

York Regional Police 2 District Headquarters

The York Regional Police are divided into five geographical districts:

1 District - 240 Prospect St, Newmarket serving:

→ Newmarket, Ontario

→ Aurora, Ontario

→ East Gwillimbury, Ontario

→ King, Ontario

2 District - 171 Major Mackenzie Dr West, Richmond Hill serving:

→ Richmond Hill, Ontario

→ Oak Ridges, Ontario

→ Thornhill, Ontario

3 District - 3527 Baseline Rd, Sutton serving:

→ Georgina, Ontario

→ Lake Simcoe (patrolled by the Marine Unit)

4 District - 2700 Rutherford Rd, Vaughan serving:

→ Vaughan, Ontario

5 District - 8700 McCowan Rd, Markham serving:

→ Markham, Ontario

→ Whitchurch-Stouffville, Ontario

Each district is headed by a superintendent and inspector.

Operational buildings[]

Community Resource Centre at 10720 Yonge Street

Whitchurch-Stouffville Community Substation, 111 Sandiford Dr, Whitchurch-Stouffville

The York Regional Police provide a substation to the community of Whitchurch-Stouffville. Numerous personnel work out of this substation to provide a police presence for the community.^[6]

King Community Policing Centre (Tristan Centre Arena), King Township

Opened in August 2011, the King Community Policing Centre hosts several events including safety clinics and community events. It is supported by several of the service's volunteers and civilian staff to strengthen the standards of safety, well-being and quality of life in the community.^[7]

Community Safety Village of York Region, Bruce's Mill Conservation Area, 3291 Stouffville Rd, Stouffville

York Regional Police's Community Safety Village is a resource used by the service to teach young children about fire, traffic and personal safety. The resource includes a 10,000 square foot replica town with crosswalks, functioning traffic lighting and signals. Usually the resource is utilized by local schools, however, several family events are held at the location yearly.^[8]

Community Resource Centre (collision reporting and customer service), 10720 Yonge St, Richmond Hill

This site hosts the service's Collision Reporting Centre for collisions that occur of the southern municipalities in the region. It also offers services that include Police Information Checks, Criminal Record Checks and several other services.^[9]

Marine unit[]

The marine unit consists of 11 full-time members and patrols the southern shoreline of Lake Simcoe and other York Region waterways. It is responsible for approximately 350 square kilometers of Lake Simcoe and can service the entire lake if required. The marine unit operates out of 3 District Headquarters in Sutton. The unit has seven vessels at their disposal and are deployed from Keswick Community Policing Office 290 The Queensway South at Marina Drive.

Emergency support[]

Emergency support is a 23-member unit with an emergency response unit and explosive disposal unit.

Workforce[]

The service currently has an authorized strength of close to 1,600 sworn members and approximately 500 civilian staff.

Fleet[]

The York Regional Police are one of two forces in the greater Toronto area with an active air support unit (Durham is the other). While the Toronto Police Service does not have an air unit, York's air unit serves their area under a mutual support agreement.

Marked cruisers are labelled with the motto "Deeds Speak".

Ford Taurus

Ford Crown Victoria

Chevrolet Impala

Ford Police Interceptor Utility

Suzuki Grand Vitara SUV

Chevrolet Tahoe

Dodge Ram pickup

Dodge Caravan

Ford Crown Victoria with ghost markings

Eurocopter EC120B (AIR2)

**Equipment list and details**
Make/Model	Type	Status
Ford Taurus	(marked) - regular cruisers	Active
Ford Explorer	(marked) - regular cruisers	active
Ford Crown Victoria	(marked) - regular cruisers	active
Dodge Charger	cruiser
Chevrolet Impala	cruiser (paid duty)	active
Chevrolet Malibu	cruiser
Chevrolet Suburban	ERU SUV	active
Chevrolet Caprice and Caprice Classic	cruiser	1970s-1980s - all retired
Harley-Davidson FLHTP	motorcycle	active
Dodge Ram	van	active
Enstrom 480 (Callsign: AIR1) retired and traded-in for - Eurocopter EC120B (Callsign: AIR2)	helicopter	active
GMC C6500	RIDE command vehicle	active
GMC Vandura	forensics unit truck	active
Chevrolet C4500	support vehicle	active
GMC Savanna 4500	support vehicle	active
Chevrolet Tahoe	supervisor SUV	active
Ford Freestar	van	active
Suzuki Grand Vitara	community service SUV	active
Farbor/	command unit	active
MU1 (MAR1) Waawaatesi (named for the Ojibway word for "firefly")	34' marine launch;^[10] stationed at the Keswick Community Policing Office	active
MU2 (MAR2) - Naawig (named for the Ojibway word for "out in deep water"^[11])	38' marine launch for open water operations with water nozzle on bow for marine fire fighting support to the Georgina Fire Department; stationed at the Keswick Community Policing Office	active
A15	6 metres (20 ft) RHIB zodiac^[12] with 115 hp engine for water rescue operations; stationed at the Keswick Community Policing Office	active
A16	3.2 metres (10 ft) inflatable zodiac^[13] for water rescue operations; stationed at the Keswick Community Policing Office	active
A17 - 'John'	canine boat; stationed at the Keswick Community Policing Office	active
Volkswagen Beetle	safety bug (community vehicle)	active
MU03 - Dawaabin	1000 Island Airboats Inc 24' / 584 hp airboat for ice rescue operations on Lake Simcoe; stationed at the Keswick Community Policing Office	active
Cambli International Thunder 1	armoured tactical response vehicle for ERU	delivered in 2011
Admiral Drive Systems Incorporated London ON	7.49 metres (24.6 ft) aluminium vessel with 200 hp engine;^[14] stationed at the Keswick Community Policing Office	active
Yamaha	3.35 metres (11.0 ft) workboats;^[15]^[16] stationed at the Keswick Community Policing Office	active
Yamaha Grizzly 550	all terrain vehicle for community oriented response unit patrol	active
Bombardier Recreational Products CAN AM 500CC	all terrain vehicle for community oriented response unit patrol	2012; retired
Icor Technology Mk III Caliber Robot	remote control robot	2016

Three of the YRP's boats were named by Elder Barbara McDonald of the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation.^[11]

Uniform[]

Front line officers are dressed in dark blue (shirts, cargo pants (with red stripe) and boots), standard in most municipal police forces in Ontario. Winter jackets are either black or reflective orange/yellow with the word police in white and blue at the back. Previously the force wore light blue shirts.

The uniform patch consist of the force's crest with wording "York Regional Police" on a black tombstone shape.

Auxiliary members wear the same uniform; lack of weapons, different shoulder patch and different hat band (black and red Sillitoe tartan) distinguish them from front line officers.

Officers wear standard forage caps and may opt for Yukon hats in the winter. Motorcycle units have white helmets. Black or reflective gloves are also provided to officers directing traffic. Red caps are used by search teams looking for missing persons.

Senior officers have white shirts and a dark blue dress jacket.

Crest[]

St. Edward's Crown
Ribbon containing the words York Regional Police
the escutcheon contains:
- The "deer stricken by an arrow" represents the original state of the country
- The "sheaf of wheat" represents the first progress in agriculture
- The "tree with an axe" represents the first act of improvement
- The "steam boat" represents the high state of technological advancement at the time^[17]

Flag[]

The YRP's flag consists of a nautical B signal flag with the YRP crest located in the white portion.

Ranks[]

The rank insignia of the 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.

Rank	Commanding officers		Senior officers				Police officers			Officer in training
Rank	Chief of police	Deputy chief of police	Staff superintendent	Superintendent	Staff inspector	Inspector	Staff sergeant	Sergeant	Constable	Cadet
Insignia (Slip-on)
Insignia (Shoulder board)							Shoulder boards not used for these ranks

Police senior officers[]

The day-to-day and regional operations are commanded by senior officers:

Uniformed non-commissioned officers[]

On-road enforcement and emergency response is supervised by:

Staff sergeant (field command)
Sergeant (district/area supervisors)

Investigative non-commissioned officers[]

Investigations are divided into crimes against persons and crimes against property. These investigations are conducted by:

Detective sergeant (equivalent to staff sergeant)^[18]
Detective (equivalent to sergeant)^[18]
Detective constable

Police officers[]

Constable - first class (4+ years), second class (3+ years), third class (2+ years), fourth class (1+ years), probationary (less than 1 year)

Civilian members[]

Cadet
Special constable (court security officers) - special constables are sworn-in pursuant to section 53 of the Police Services Act which confers peace officer status. Special constables have the powers of police officers to enforce federal statutes and various provincial statutes while in the execution of their duties.
Station duty officers
Police communicators
Auxiliary constables (approximately 140 members since 2016) pursuant to section 52 of the Police Services Act, a chief of police can appoint auxiliary constables to act as volunteers. An auxiliary constable is not a peace officer but has the authority of a police officer only if he or she is accompanied or supervised by a police officer and is authorized to perform police duties by the chief of police.
Fleet assistant - deal with maintenance of YRP vehicles

Communications[]

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 Aurora, Ontario. The communications staff are non-sworn members of the York Regional Police, though the bureau is under the direction of an inspector and a staff sergeant.

Weapons[]

**Product list and details**
Make/Model	Type	Status
Glock 22 or 23	pistol	active
Beretta Centurion 96D	pistol	active
Remington 870P or Remington 870 Police Magnum	pump-action shotgun	active
Beretta 9mm	semi-automatic pistols	sold to the
Colt Canada C8 rifle	rifle	active - used by ERU
ARWEN 37	riot gun
?	Sniper rifle

Emergency response unit[]

York Regional Police K9 unit searches for a missing person in Vaughan

The emergency response unit (ERU) is the YRP SWAT team formed in 1980. The ERU is a group of specialized operators. The unit's 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;

Containment
Apprehension of armed and/or barricaded persons
Hostage rescue
Explosive forced entry
Explosive disposal
High risk search warrants
High risk vehicles/trains/aircraft assaults

In 1988 demand for the ERU was on the rise. Various operational obligations including the fatal shooting of an armed suspect by the ERU during a hostage rescue in Richmond Hill highlighted the need for additional members. In 1989 the ERU increased to 11 members.

In 2001 the York Regional Police established a shared service agreement with the Durham Regional Police Service, which allows for reciprocal tactical support in the event of large scale or long duration deployments. The York Regional Police provide tactical team and hostage rescue team support to the South Simcoe Police Service upon their request.

Following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York City, 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 ERU's roster was expanded in 2002 to an undisclosed number. The roster includes both snipers and explosives technicians.

The ERU has full explosive forced entry capabilities, which are mainly used in its hostage rescue and armed/barricaded operations. The ERU is regularly involved in high-risk search warrant services within the York Region and the Greater Toronto Area as well as a number of high-profile joint forces operations within Ontario.

The York Regional Police ERU conduct their own strenuous selection process, with the applicants mainly being from the departments' uniformed divisions. The unit also trains its own candidates in most required disciplines and is one of the founding members of the Ontario Tactical Advisory Body (OTAB).

Members of the ERU currently hold positions within the OTAB and Canadian Explosive Technicians Association (CETA) as well as membership in the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) and International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators (IABTI).

Traffic bureau[]

The traffic bureau was formed in 1989. At that time, the traffic bureau worked out of offices located at 200 Industrial Parkway South in the Town of Aurora. The traffic bureau was made up of officers whose primary function was to enforce traffic related laws. The unit was made up of six officers who drove motorcycles and marked police cruisers.

As time went on the unit began to specialize in the reconstruction of motor vehicle collisions. The unit expanded to approximately 20 officers working on four different platoons. The platoons followed the regular uniform officer shifts.

Collision reconstruction unit[]

On January 1, 2002, the traffic bureau was split into two separate entities, a traffic enforcement unit and a technical collision investigation unit (TCIU). The TCIU was made up of six officers on two separate shifts supervised by one supervisor.

In 2004, the technical collision investigation unit was renamed the "collision reconstruction unit". The unit had eight members made up of investigators and collision reconstructionists. The unit was still working with two shifts and each shift had a supervisor.

At present the collision reconstruction unit is made up of 10 officers. Two teams of four investigators and collision reconstructionists and a supervisor. The team members specialize in investigative techniques and collision reconstruction.

On December 15, 2003, York Regional Police's collision reconstruction unit investigated a collision on Rutherford Road west of Pine Valley Drive in the City of Vaughan that killed former NHL Chicago Black Hawks player Keith Magnuson. Rob Ramage, another former NHL player, was arrested and charged with impaired operation causing death and bodily harm, dangerous operation causing death and bodily harm, as well as over 80mgs. At the trial in the fall of 2007, Ramage was convicted of all the counts except the over 80mgs. In January 2008, Ramage was sentenced to four years in prison. He appealed his conviction and sentence. On July 12, 2010, the Ontario Court of Appeal upheld the conviction and sentence.

The members of the unit have received training in collision reconstruction, marine reconstruction and other related fields in Ontario as well as in the US

Enforcement unit[]

The enforcement unit is responsible for enforcement of all traffic laws. Officers from the enforcement unit perform breath tests and test drivers for sobriety utilizing standardized field sobriety testing and drug recognition experts. The York Regional Police's traffic bureau has trained over 100 frontline officers in the SFST battery and 15 officers trained as DREs

Officers from the enforcement unit utilize various speed measuring devices from hand-held radars and lasers to moving radar units in their police vehicles. Speed enforcement is conducted throughout the region. Special computerized ticket writing units are utilized in police vehicles to ensure there are no human errors.

The enforcement unit also instituted a prohibited driver program where officers investigate persons convicted of criminal driving offences whereby their driving privileges are revoked. Members use unmarked vehicles and conduct surveillance on suspects' home and court to catch violators.

The enforcement unit is known to have ticket quotas and unnecessarily handing out tickets. During the COVID-19 pandemic, York Regional Police officers wrote out tickets for expired licence plate stickers, despite the fact that the provincial government had extended the validity of these stickers indefinitely.^[19]^[20]

Emergency services[]

The York Regional Police are part of the York Region's emergency services and works with:

York Region Paramedic Services
Fire Services in York Region
YRT/Viva Special Constable Services

Community services[]

Bobby the Bear, Morris the Moose and Bucky the Beaver are the force's mascots and appear at various community events.^[21]^[22]

The York Regional Police also operates a variety of musical ensembles by permission of the chief. The York Regional Police Pipes and Drums, the Community Chorus, and Youth Band all represent the police force at parades, community functions and ceremonies.^[23]