WHEREAS the criminal justice system is an integral component to maintaining an orderly society, and
 
WHEREAS there is a critical shortage of Justices of the Peace in the criminal justice system in Ontario, and
 
WHEREAS there is a growing concern about constant remands, lengthy delays, and overbooked courts within the criminal justice system, and
 
WHEREAS there is a growing insensitivity toward victims of crime within the criminal justice system, and
 
WHEREAS conditional sentences, house arrests, 2-for-1 sentence credits for pre-trial custody and bail, and accelerated and mandatory parole do little to dissuade criminals from committing offences, and
 
WHEREAS studies have shown that more than 85 percent of police officers who are subpoenaed to appear in criminal courts never testify, taking officers away from other core responsibilities and wasting taxpayer dollars, and
 
WHEREAS all Ontarians and especially victims of crime deserve a criminal justice system that is efficient, more responsive to their needs, and able to meet the challenges facing the justice system in Ontario.
 
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police call upon the Provincial and Federal Governments to undertake a comprehensive review of the criminal justice system and to institute changes needed to ensure that it is efficient and meets the needs of the citizens of Ontario.